§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals Her Majesty's Government have put to the intergovernmental co-ordinating committee of western nations on technology transfer—COCOM—meetings to decide upon a successor regime to COCOM; with which non-governmental organisations his Department has discussed this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggBritish officials have participated in a series of intergovernmental meetings to discuss new multilateral arrangements to promote transparency and responsibility in the transfer of arms and sensitive dual-use goods. In the course of these meetings they have put forward a number of proposals designed to balance concerns about potential threats to security with the need to avoid unnecessary burdens on industry. Additionally, British officials have proposed, and partners have accepted, that existing controls on arms and related items should be maintained after the end of COCOM on 31 March if the new arrangements are not in place by then.
My Department has had no formal discussions on this issue with non-governmental organisations. However, my officials have discussed it informally with academics and representatives of other non-government bodies in the course of their regular contacts.