§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the work of the export control organisation in his Department over the past two years.
§ Mr. SainsburyIn 1989 and 1990 the export control organisation of my Department issued 75,925 and 45,897 licences respectively. We are continually seeking new ways to try and minimise the burden of export controls to exporters while improving their effectiveness and the reduction in the number of licences issued in 1990 as a result of one of these changes. The introduction during 1989 and 1990 of open general export licences eliminated the need for exporters of certain equipment to certain destinations to obtain licences from DTI and allows the export control organisation to use its resources more effectively.