§ Lord Monkswellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the United Kingdom continues to impose an arms embargo on Afghanistan in line with the European Union's Common Position of 17 December 1996. [HL2133)]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government remain committed to the EU arms embargo against Afghanistan.
Following discussion with this department and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved a licence for the export of mine-clearance suits for use by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan in its demining operations. The grant of this licence is for humanitarian purposes, and is consistent with the purpose of the embargo.