§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many export licences for land mines possessing a self-destruct mechanism have been(a) applied for and (b) granted in each year since 1990; [28316]
(2) how many export licences for components which can be used in the manufacture of land mines have (a) been applied for and (b) granted in each year since 1990. [28317]
§ Mr. OppenheimIt has been the practice of successive Administrations not to disclose details of applications for export licences or export licences. The hon. Lady may be aware that, following the publication of the Scott report, the Government have accepted Sir Richard Scott's recommendation that we should review this convention. The Ministry of Defence is taking the lead in the review and is consulting widely during its consideration.
In this case, however, I am prepared to say that no export licences have been applied for, or granted, for anti-personnel land mines or for specially designed components for such mines during the period in question.