§ Ann ClwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for licences for the export of(a) paramilitary, (b) security and (c) police equipment to Eritrea have been (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) revoked, (1) between February 1995 and May 1997 inclusive and (2) since May 1997; and what was the export licence category in each case. [50583]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 1 February 1995 and 1 May 1997, three Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or endusers in Eritrea of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. Between 2 May 1997 and 19 June 1998, six Standard Individual Export Licences were issued covering such exports. No Open Individual Export Licences were issued in either period covering such exports; and no SIELs or OIELs covering such exports were revoked and no applications for SIELs or OIELs covering such exports were refused.
The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.
Standard Individual Export Licences issued between 1 February 1995 and 1 May 1997 covering the export to Eritrea of goods on the Military List Rating ML3 ML10 ML22 Number issued between 1 February 1995 and 1 May 1997 covering goods with this rating 1 2 0 Number issued between 2 May 1997 and 19 June 1998 covering goods with this rating 0 4 2 This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.
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 870–71.
In addition, goods on the Military List may have been exported to Eritrea under certain Open General Export Licences; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.
It is not possible to break down these data in the manner requested as the equipment covered by many entries in the Military List could be used by military, paramilitary or police end-users.
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