§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the British Government's policy on the export of non-lethal weaponry; and on what basis export licences are granted. [36482]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 10 July 1996]: The Export of Goods (Control) Order lists the goods on which the Government maintain export controls. Group 1 of part III to schedule 1 of the order lists military, security and paramilitary goods and arms, ammunition and related material. It does not define or categorise "non-lethal weapons". The Government maintain strict control over all arms exports, primarily by means of considering applications for export licences against strict established criteria; these have been agreed within the European Union, in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and by the permanent five members of the UN Security Council. I am arranging for copies of the three sets of criteria to be placed in the Library of the House. 286W The Government do not allow the export of controlled equipment which is likely to be used for internal repression.