§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent representations he has received on the controls on licensed production and brokerage of arms for export; and if he will make a statement; [121732]
(2) what initiatives he is pursuing for greater control of licensed production and brokerage of arms for export; and if he will make a statement. [121731]
§ Dr. HowellsThe 1998 White Paper on Strategic Export Controls (Cm 3989) contained proposals to extend controls on trafficking and brokering in several areas, including in respect of the supply of arms and other controlled goods to any country subject to embargo and the supply of equipment the export from the UK of which504W has been banned because of evidence that goods of the same type have been used in torture. All the White Paper proposals are currently under review in the light of comments received.
As part of this review the Government are also considering the issue of licensed production overseas following the raising of this issue in a number of the responses to the White Paper. However, a licence is already required for the export of any controlled equipment or technology in tangible form needed for an overseas manufacturing facility.
In recent months the Department for Trade and Industry has received representations on the issues of arms brokering and licensed production from Oxfam and Amnesty International's UK Directors, from many individual members of these two organisations and from other members of the public.
The Government will announce proposals for new export control legislation following conclusion of the current review of the White Paper proposals.