§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the enhanced proliferation control initiative launched by President Bush in November 1990 had any impact on British exports.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 20 May 1991]There is no evidence to indicate that the United States initiative has had any direct impact on British exports.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for how many of the chemicals denoted as precursors of concern by the Australia Group Her Majesty's Government do not require export licences; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 20 May 1991]The Australia Group has identified on its warning list 50 chemical weapons precursors of concern, of which 37 are specifically subject to control under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989 (as amended). Controls were further strengthened last year by addition of an end-use control which renders the export of any chemical from the United Kingdom subject to control, where the exporter knows or suspects that it is for use for chemical or biological weapons purposes.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has on British armaments exported since 1979 which were(a) retained by the designated end user and (b) illegally transferred to persons or organisations not designated as end users by the export certificate.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 14 May 1991]It has been the policy of this and successive Governments not to reveal details of individual licence applications.