HL Deb 29 June 2000 vol 614 c100WA
The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How long, on average, the Department of Trade and Industry takes to process an application for essential medical equipment for Iraqi hospitals by recognised United Kingdom-based charities. [HL2984]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Export Control Organisation (ECO) of the DTI does not record the average length of time it takes to process licence applications. The Government's commitments to exporters are published in the ECO's Service and Performance Code which sets out the targets for processing applications. However, these targets do not apply to applications concerning Iran or Iraq or to applications for licences to export goods which are subject to control solely because of UN sanctions. This is because there are special licensing procedures for those destinations which reflect the Government's concerns.