§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences were granted for the export of cluster munitions in each of the last five years. [137690]
§ Dr. HowellsThe export of cluster munitions is controlled under entries ML3 and ML4 in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. Other munitions are also controlled under these entries. It would entail disproportionate cost to examine the records to establish which, if any, of the licences issued in the last five years covered the export of cluster munitions.
Details of SIELs and OIELs issued between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 1999 have been set out in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; copies are in the Library of the House. The Reports list by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued and refused in each equipment category and give details of the military equipment for which licences have been granted.
For the periods not covered by the Annual Reports, the Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and the results are set out in the table.
Individual licences issued covering the export of goods with the ratings ML3 and MIA to consignees or end-users in all destinations Issued from SIELs OIELs 1 January to 31 December 1996 937 33 1 January to 1 May 1997 306 9 1 January to 2 November 2000 754 27 This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307-08W.
In addition, goods on the Military List may have been exported to certain destinations under certain Open General Licences; copies of all Open General Export Licences are placed in the Library of the House.