§ Mr. Tony ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what United 151W Kingdom specific export restrictions currently apply to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia; for what reasons; and what proposals the Government have to lift them. [93583]
§ Mr. Tony LloydUK national export controls in general apply to all countries.
The only UK specific export control currently in place on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia is Group 3, Part 1, Schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, which prohibits the export without an export licence of certain all-wheel drive utility vehicles capable of off-road use, heavy-duty recovery vehicles and drop-sided trucks.
This control was introduced to address concerns that such vehicles might be used by paramilitary groups against British troops deployed on peacekeeping duties in the former Yugoslavia.
We are currently taking steps to remove this control in respect of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, as we no longer perceive the uncontrolled export of these vehicles as a threat to British troops.