§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the instances where(a) United Nations or (b) European Union 271W arms embargoes have not been immediately incorporated into the law of Britain's offshore dependencies; and what was the reason for that non-incorporation; [8624]
(2) what arrangements currently exist for the incorporation of (a) United Nations arms embargoes and (b) European Union arms embargoes into the law of the United Nations offshore dependencies; [8623]
(3) on what date the interdepartmental committee set up to examine the Government's procedures in relation to the trafficking of arms will complete its report; and when a full report will be presented to the House; [8625]
(4) what measures he has taken to prevent United Kingdom nationals or companies from supplying arms and military equipment via a third country to a destination to which such exports are prohibited under (a) a United Nations and (b) a European Union arms embargo; [8626]
(5) what arrangements currently exist for the incorporation of (a) United Nations arms embargoes and (b) European Union arms embargoes into United Kingdom national law. [8622]
§ Mr. David DavisAs my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary told the House on 27 November,Official Report, column 318, the Government have set up an interdepartmental committee to examine our procedures in relation to trafficking in arms and to determine whether there has been a gap in our controls and if so what action needs to be taken. The committee's terms of reference are as follows:
To review Government controls and procedures relating to trafficking in arms from third countries to destinations subject to embargo by the UK, when this is arranged from the UK or is arranged overseas by UK nationals or by UK companies;To determine whether there are any gaps in controls and procedures, and if so, what action needs to be taken, and to consider whether the Government should have additional powers;For the proposes of the review, the UK shall be taken to include Crown Dependencies and Dependent Territories;To report by Thursday 19 December 1996.The committee is examining the scope and implementation of all current UN, OSCE, EU and national embargoes, including their application in the dependent territories and Crown dependencies. The committee will cover the issues raised by the hon. Member as fully as possible in the time available. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will report to the House as early as possible.