§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action the British Government take to ensure that British companies do not re-export torture equipment originating in third countries. [24274]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 2 April 1996]: The Government control the export of weapons under the Export of Goods (Control) Order. It is not, however, practicable to control the export of the wide range of articles that might be misused for the purposes of torture. The Government deplore the use of torture in any circumstances and would never knowingly do anything to support its practice or any trade in instruments of torture anywhere in the world.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that British companies do not engage in the off-shore sale of equipment which could be used for torture purposes. [24273]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 2 April 1996]: The Government deplore the use of torture in any circumstances and would never knowingly do anything to support its practice, or any trade in instruments of torture anywhere in the world.
However, it is not practicable to regulate trade in the wide range of articles that might conceivably be misused for the purposes of torture. In respect of goods licensable under the Export of Goods (Control) Order, however, the Government are considering whether to cover this issue in forthcoming public consultation on a range of export control matters following Sir Richard Scott's recent report.