§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if companies that export oversize handcuffs and other such restraining equipment are required to keep records of serial numbers, destinations and end-users as part of the export licensing process; and what reports he has received about the sale of leg cuffs, manufactured in the United Kingdom. [98536]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 22 November 1999]: I understand that under Regulation 9 of the Customs Traders (Account and Records) Regulations 1995, all exporters are required to maintain records of all exports made for a period of four years, whether or not an export licence was required.
I am of course aware of the reports concerned and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has already said that officials are pursuing the allegations concerned.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide details of the export licences his Department has issued for the export of handcuffs listed in the two Annual reports on Strategic Export Controls. [98539]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 22 November 1999]: Inquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. As confidential information is involved, the parties concerned will be asked if they object to its disclosure and this can take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings there have been between officials from his Department and the Defence Manufacturers Association Export Licensing Group over the last two years; if these meetings discussed export licence controls relating to restraint equipment; and if he will publish the minutes of these meetings. [98537]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 22 November 1999]: Since 2 May 1997 there have been three meetings between officials of the Export Control Organisation and members of the Defence Manufacturers Association Export Licensing Group on 22 April and 23 November 1998 and 26 May 1999; another meeting is due to take place on 25 November. No formal minutes are taken by my officials, and the meetings provide an opportunity for the Association to discuss informally a broad range of procedural issues, principally matters relating to the introduction of the ELATE computer-based application 102W form in March 1999 and organisational changes within the Export Control Organisation. The meetings are not intended to serve as a forum for the discussion of Government policy with respect to the export of particular goods or exports to particular destinations and there has not been any discussion of the ban on the export of leg irons and other equipment that has been used in torture announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 65–66W. It should also be noted that many applicants for export licences are of course members of the Defence Manufacturers Association and, as such, are from time to time in contact with officials in the Export Control Organisation about the progress of their applications.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what exports there have been by(a) the Crown Agents and (b) other export licence exempt agencies of oversize cuffs, Big Brutus cuffs or jumbo cuffs since 1991. [98538]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 22 November 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 1 February 1999, Official Report, column 503W.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the licences his Department has granted for the export of oversize cuffs, Big Brutus or Jumbo Cuffs since 1991; and if he will provide in each case details of the destinations, amounts, supplier companies and end-users. [98829]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 22 November 1999]: The export of handcuffs with a maximum overall dimension which when locked exceeds 240mm was made subject to control by the Export of Goods (Control) (Amendment Order 1992), which came into force on 9 March 1992.
As regards licences granted, inquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. As confidential information is involved, the parties concerned will be asked if they object to its disclosure and this can take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.