§ Lord Stallardasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will continue to impose an arms embargo on Afghanistan in line with the EU's common position of 17 December 1996.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe remain committed to the EU arms embargo against Afghanistan which the UK interprets as covering all goods and technology entered on Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods Order 1994, as amended.
Following consultation with this department, and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved a licence for the export of bomb disposal equipment for use by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan in its demining operations. The grant of this licence is for humanitarian purposes, and is consistent with the purpose of the embargo.