HC Deb 25 March 1998 vol 309 c139W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 1998,Official Report, column 71, on precision guided weapons, which countries have been supplied with multi-spectral smoke by UK companies. [30244]

Mrs. Roche

I have been asked to reply.

The Department of Trade and Industry does not compile records of actual exports to any destination.

The export of military smoke projectors and generators is controlled under entry ML2 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order (this is known as the "rating" of these goods). The export of munitions containing smoke is controlled under entries ML3, ML4 and possibly PL5030. The export of vehicles, vessels or aircraft incorporating smoke projectors or generators is controlled under entries ML6, ML9, and ML10 respectively. The export of specialised devices or generators for military training is controlled under entry ML14.

Many licences have been issued covering goods with these ratings. It would entail disproportionate cost to determine which, if any, covered equipment containing or capable of generating or projecting multispectral smoke.