§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to minimise the risk of UK arms exports being diverted from the stated end-use or end-user in Pakistan. [65433]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI have been asked to reply.
The Government focus their efforts on assessment of potential end-use at the export licensing stage, including where needed through checks made by our posts overseas. Carrying out effective risk assessment on end-users before making the export licensing decision is the surest way of preventing arms from falling into the wrong hands. Nevertheless, the Government remain committed to carrying out end-use monitoring in those circumstances where this will genuinely add value to our efforts to minimise the risk of misuse and diversion and where such monitoring is practicable. Our overseas posts have standing instructions to report on allegations of misuse of any UK-origin defence equipment.