36. Mr. FrankCook asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's responsibilities in relation to the control of arms exports as they affect Her Majesty's Government's foreign policy.
§ Mr. MellorThe export of arms is controlled by the Export of Goods (Control) Order which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. However, my Department is consulted over all export licence applications so that the foreign policy aspects of arms sales can be fully considered. In deciding whether to approve individual export licence applications my Department pays particular attention to those exports which might exacerbate regional or local tension or contribute to violations of human rights.
As the hon. Member knows, special rules are announced from time to time in relation to certain countries.