HC Deb 17 December 1998 vol 322 cc701-2W
Ms Jenny Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences were granted to United Kingdom companies to export small arms between(a) 1 January and 30 June 1997, and (b) 1 July 1997 and 30 September 1998. [63439]

Mrs. Roche

The export of specified small arms is controlled under entries ML1 and PL5018 in the Export of Goods (Control) Order, which also cover specified accessories and specially designed components. The entry in the legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating.

The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 1 January 1997 and 30 September 1998, the numbers of Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) issued during each period and covering the export of goods with the relevant ratings were as follows:

Individual Licences issued between 1 January 1997 and 30 September 1998 covering the export of goods with the rating ML1
Period Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating
1 January 1997–30 June 1997 962 70
1 July 1997–30 September 1998 1,696 60
Individual Licences issued between 1 January 1997 and 30 September 1998 covering the export of goods with the rating PL5018
Period Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating
1 January 1997–30 June 1997 99 69
1 July 1997–30 September 1998 84 43

This information should be considered in light of my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 256–58.

There is no internationally-agreed definition of "small arms". It is possible that some weapons controlled under other ratings could be called small arms; for instance, a 12-bore shotgun with a calibre greater than 12.7mm would be controlled under entry ML2.

Certain Open General Export Licences cover the return to specified countries of weapons controlled under entries ML1 and PL5018, subject to the conditions of the licence in each case: the Open General Export Licence (Export After Repair: Military Goods) and the Open General Export Licence (Export After Exhibition: Military Goods). In addition, the Open General Export Licence (Accompanied Personal Effects: Sporting Firearms) permits temporary exports for sporting or recreational purposes to Tanzania and Uganda. Copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.