§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) the Royal Ordnance Factories and (b) other United Kingdom defence manufacturers are currently producing equipment designed for, or that could be used for, the application of electric shocks to individuals under interrogation in foreign countries; and if such equipment will receive an export licence. [2294]
§ Mr. MichaelI have been asked to reply.
The manufacture of weapons which discharge electric shocks is prohibited under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) except with the authority of the Secretary of State. No company currently holds authority for the manufacture of weapons of this kind. The export of such weapons is also controlled under the terms of the Export of Goods (Control) Order. The Government will not permit the export of arms to regimes which might use them for internal repression or international aggression.