§ 19. Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his role in advising on approval of ECGD cover for arms exports. [112887]
§ Mr. HainThe FCO carefully scrutinises all applications for arms sales abroad via the reformed and tightened export-licensing regime.
Once an export licence is approved it is up to ECGD to decide whether or not to provide export credit support.
However, stricter conditions apply in poor and heavily indebted developing countries to ensure ECGD only covers projects that clearly contribute to social and economic development. ECGD will always consult other Whitehall Departments, including FCO, to ensure these conditions are met.