HL Deb 27 October 1998 vol 593 cc211-2WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current position on the Department of Trade and Industry's review of strategic export controls (HC Deb), 5 May, cols. 262–263W); and what progress has been made in encouraging member states of the European Union and others to introduce appropriate controls over such activities, and in particular the manufacture and export of electric shock batons and similar devices to countries from which the United Nations Rapporteur on Torture has received allegations of torture. [HL3401]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Department of Trade and Industry published the White Paper on Strategic Export Controls on 1 July (House of LordsOfficial Report, cols. WA 82–84) and the subsequent formal consultation process ended on 30 September. The Government are now considering carefully all the responses received during the consultation process and will be reviewing their proposals in the light of these.

We have pressed our EU partners vigorously to introduce similar restrictions on the export of torture equipment to those we introduced on 28 July 1997 (House of Commons Official Report, cols. 26–29). Our partners are sympathetic to our concerns. Indeed, in defining internal repression, the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports agreed on 8 June 1998 specifically includes torture or other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment among the actions which constitute internal repression.

However, some partners have doubts about the practicality and desirability of an outright ban. Many do not have national controls on some or all of the items involved. We believe from contracts that there is support for the principle of controlling the export of such equipment.

As this equipment is not military equipment, matters relating to its export control fall within the Community's exclusive competence and it is for the European Commission to make any proposal for a regulation establishing common rules. We are encouraging the Commission to come forward with a proposal and expect them to do so soon.

It is premature to be encouraging our EU partners or others to introduce similar controls to those which we may introduce nationally as a result of the White Paper.