§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences were(a) applied For and (b) granted under the export control system of the Department of Trade and Industry for arms exports in each year since 1980.
§ Mr. SainsburySeparate statistics are not maintained for the export of arms. Export licence applications received and granted for all military equipment for the years 1987 to 1990 and for the first quarter of 1991 were as follows:
Year Applications Received Licences Granted 1987 17,590 16,745 1988 15,697 216,005 1989 14,601 13,584 1990 14,996 14,603 31991 3,313 2,993 1 Figures include applications for temporary export. 2 Carry-over of applications from 1987. 3 First quarter. Statistics were not maintained in this form before 1987 and could only be compiled at disproportionate cost.
About one third of the above totals represents licences for firearms for personal, Government and police use.