§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he plans to strengthen export controls aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Government are committed to intensifying efforts to prevent proliferation in view of the heightened international concern. In the light of this, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has decided to extend controls to the remaining 13 precursors of concern identified by the Australia Group, in common with other member countries, in order to ensure the effectiveness of multilateral export controls. It has also been decided to extend the general end-use control which was introduced in December last year in the light of concerns relating to chemical and biological weapons, to cover materials and equipment of concern for nuclear weapons and missile purposes.