§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment was made of the human rights record of the country for which the trans-shipment of electro-shock batons was licensed in 1993. [3943]
§ Mr. Tony LloydA search of departmental records has so far not revealed any details of assessments made prior to the granting of this license. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for Leeds Central will write to the hon. Member once officials have completed their enquiries. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal procedures there are to monitor the use of military, police or security equipment supplied subject to assurances that the purchasers would not use such hardware for internal repression. [3944]
§ Mr. LloydNo such formal procedures have previously existed. But we are considering how best to take forward our commitment to prevent British companies from manufacturing, selling or procuring equipment primarily designed for torture and strengthen the monitoring of end-use of defence exports.