§ Ms Glenda JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the content and timetabling of the forthcoming draft bill on strategic arms exports; and what discussions he has had with non-governmental organisations. [150970]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 26 February 2001]: Full details of the Government's proposals for new export control legislation will be set out when the draft Export Control Bill is published. It is not possible at this stage to give a precise date but we hope to be in a position to publish the Bill within the next few months.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of non-governmental organisations last November to discuss issues relating to the proposed Export Control Bill, including the Government's proposals for new controls on arms trafficking and brokering. Ministers and officials have also held other meetings with NGOs to discuss these issues.
§ Ms Glenda JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if monitoring of the end-use of UK arms will be covered in the forthcoming draft legislation on strategic arms exports. [150971]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 26 February 2001]: The Government have already taken steps to minimise the risk of UK arms exports being diverted from the stated end-use or end-user. These include new measures to strengthen the process of risk assessment at the export 706W licensing stage. We also regularly seek additional details of proposed end-use and end-users, including through our overseas posts.