§ Mr. RapsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken to ban the export of electro-shock weapons, including batons; if she will hold a formal investigation into the trading of these weapons by British companies; and if she will make a statement. [5493]
§ Mr. Robin CookI have been asked to reply.
We are committed to preventing British companies from manufacturing, selling or procuring equipment designed primarily for torture and to press for a global ban. There is clear evidence that certain equipment has been used for torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. I can now announce that we will take the necessary measures to prevent the export or transhipment from the UK of the following equipment:
Portable devices designed or modified for riot control purposes or self-protection to administer an electric shock, including electric-shock batons, electric-shock shields, stun guns, and tasers, and specially designed components for such devices.Leg-irons, gang-chains, shackles—excluding normal handcuffs—and electric-shock belts designed for the restraint of a human being.Some of the above goods are not presently controlled and we will be amending the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 to bring them under control.
The acquisition, purchase, possession, manufacture, sale and transfer of electric-shock weapons is already regulated by the Firearms Act 1968 as amended. We are examining how to take forward our commitment to ban the manufacture and possession of the other goods listed.
66WOur review of strategic export controls, which is being led by the Department of Trade and Industry, sought views on the extent to which any new legislation should seek to control trafficking in undesirable goods and the brokering of such deals. As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade said on 5 June, Official Report, column 236, we are considering all the responses to the consultation carefully in formulating our proposals, which will be announced soon.
If we are to prevent would-be torturers from procuring such equipment elsewhere, similar controls will need to be implemented by other countries. To this end, we will seek to encourage EU member state to impose similar restrictions to those announced above as a first step towards a global ban. We shall report to the House on progress in this and our other efforts to promote respect for human rights.
Illegal trading in such weapons would amount to an offence under section 5(1) (b) of the Firearms Act 1968. Any allegation that British companies are involved in such activities should be brought to the attention of the police.