§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have evidence that British-made or brokered small arms have been reaching Brazil or other central and southern American States; and whether the availability of such arms encourages gun crime. [HL5003]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe do from time to time approve licences for export of small arms to Brazil and other South and Central American States. We consider all applications for such licences carefully on a case by case basis taking fully into account the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.
We also share the concern of the noble Lord about the links between small arms and gun crime in many countries including in South and Central America. In Brazil, we have been happy to contribute £786,000 to a project in support of the work of the Viva Rio NGO in the field of small arms issues. Working in some of the poorest parts of the city, this project aims to raise awareness of the issues in the community, and to collect and destroy small arms. In Peru we have contributed £500,000 to a project in support of the work of the UN Regional Centre for Latin America on this important problem. This project brings together police and law enforcement agencies across the continent to tackle trafficking of small arms through marking, tracing and safe disposal of such weapons.