§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of compiling the latest United Kingdom submission to the United Nations register of conventional arms transfers; to whom it was circulated; and what responses he has received in respect of the submission. [15961]
§ Mr. David DavisWe strongly support the UN register of conventional arms which was set up following a personal initiative of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at the European Council in April 1991, and are committed to its success.
No study has ever been made into the cost of compiling the UK submission to the register.
The UK's return for each calender year is submitted to the United Nations by 30 April of the following year. Copies are also made available to partners in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and placed in the Libraries of the House. Members of the public can also request copies of the UK return from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the Ministry of Defence.
No responses have been received, although independent studies have been made by universities and organisations such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.