§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will lift the restrictions on the sales and export of chemical weapon detection kits to enable humanitarian aid to be given to victims and potential victims of chemical attack; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkNo. Equipment specially designed for detection of chemical weapons is controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1987. There is no absolute ban on export. Applications for licences to export such goods are carefully considered on their merits depending upon the destination and the potential end user.