§ Baroness Whitakerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assurance they can give that the F680 process will not pre-empt consideration of the criteria governing the issue of export licences in the Export Control Bill, especially the criterion relating to sustainable development. [HL5602]
§ Lord BachThe Government consider F680 applications against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. However, it is routinely made clear that the advice to companies under this procedure does not constitute an export licence, nor guarantee any future export licence application will result in the issue of a licence.
The Government have recently announced their decision to make procedural changes to the F680 process. Rather than as previously commenting through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development has been invited formally to comment directly on F680 applications for exports to countries where sustainable development may be considered an issue.