§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licence applications awaiting decisions on 24 June had been waiting for(a) 20 days, (b) 40 days, (c) 60 days and (d) more than 60 days. [48228]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 30 June 1998]: At 24 June 1998, a decision had not yet been taken on 2,110 applications for new individual export licences received since 2 May 1997. These are broken down as follows:
Standard individual export licences Open individual export licences Applications received between 2 May 1997 and 26 March 1998 449 140 27 March 1998 and 27 April 1998 230 27 28 April 1998 and 27 May 1998 417 16 28 May 1998 and 24 June 1998 817 14 The figures for open individual export licences do not cover amendments, extensions or OIELs for protective clothing for the media.
However, this information should be considered in light of my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) of 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 256–58.