§ 22. Mr. GapesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out Government policy with regard to sales(a) lethal weapons, (b) non-lethal weapons and (c) dual-use technology and the definitions used to determine the respective categories. [13527]
§ Mr. OppenheimMy Department has responsibility for the control of exports of weapons and dual-use goods and technology. The export of such equipment and technology is prohibited without an export licence and details are set out in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 and the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1995.
It is the Government's policy to support the sale of British defence equipment overseas where this is compatible with our political, security and strategic interests.
§ Mr. ByersTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the proportion of defence exports to non-OECD countries as a total of capital goods exports to non-OECD countries over the last six years. [14867]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 12 February 1996]: Defence equipment is not included in the official definition of capital goods. The ratio of United Kingdom defence equipment exports to capital goods exports, to non-OECD countries, is given in the list.
- Ratio:
- 1989: 0.57
- 1990: 0.49
- 1991: 0.43
- 1992: 0.32
- 1993: 0.26
- 1994: 0.23.
Note: Defence equipment is defined, in terms of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revision 3), as aircraft and associated equipment (all tariff headings in group 792 other than those identified as "civil", and excluding spacecraft and launch vehicles); warships (tariff heading 890600100) and arms and ammunitions for military purposes (division 98).
Source: Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom.