HC Deb 08 May 1996 vol 277 c155W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what(a) strategic and (b) regulatory considerations are taken into account in deciding whether to grant a licence for the export of airborne early warning sensors and scanners to China. [27371]

Mr. Oppenheim

[holding answer 30 April 1996]: Export licences are considered on a case-by-case basis in the light of our national and international commitments.

Since 7 June 1989, the UK has enforced an EU embargo on the sale to China of "weapons and equipment which could be used for internal repression". The current embargo guidelines were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 4 April 1995, Official Report, column 979.

Those defence and defence-related goods requiring an export licence are listed in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended.