HC Deb 18 December 1996 vol 287 cc697-8W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications he has received for export licences in respect of weapons which will be prohibited under the Firearms (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement. [8017]

Mr. Nelson

Firearms covered by the provisions of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill are included in headings ML I and PL5018 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994. To disaggregate licences including firearms covered by the Bill from other export licences issued under these headings could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost. I can say, however, that 303 export licences rated under those headings were issued between 1 November and 6 December. Coincidentally, a further 303 export licence applications rated under those headings were under consideration at close of business on 6 December. There were no new open individual export licences covering such goods issued during the period. However, six dealer-to-dealer licences, valid for a period of three years, were issued to registered firearms dealers enabling them to trade with counterparts in EU countries.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those categories of weapon which will be prohibited under the Firearms (Amendment) Bill which(a) may and (b) may not be exported without a licence. [8018]

Mr. Nelson

All categories of weapons covered by the Firearms (Amendment) Bill are controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order and may not be exported without a valid export licence.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been granted for the export of firearms since the Firearms (Amendment) Bill was published; how many licence applications are currently under consideration; and what is his policy in respect of issuing such export licences. [5583]

Mr. Nelson

[holding answer 25 November 1996]: Firearms covered by the provisions of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill are included in headings ML I and PL5018 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994; 303 export licences rated under those headings were issued between 1 November and 6 December. Coincidentally, a further 303 export licence applications rated under those headings were under consideration at close of business on 6 December. There were no new open individual export licences covering such goods issued during the period. However, six dealer-to-dealer licences, valid for a period of three years, were issued to registered firearms dealers enabling them to trade with counterparts in EU countries.

Firearms and most military equipment require an export licence before export, and all applications for such licences are considered case by case. Careful consideration is given to the political and military implications of allowing individual consignments overseas. The Government pay particular attention to proposed exports of military goods to countries with poor human rights record, where such goods might be used for internal repression, and to countries or regions where the export of arms might contribute to destabilisation of the area. In all, eight strict criteria for allowing arms sales were agreed by Ministers at Luxembourg and Lisbon European Councils in June 1991 and June 1992.