HC Deb 22 November 2000 vol 357 cc202-3W
Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the components or equipment given Open Individual Export Licences by Her Majesty's Government since 1997 for sale to the Israeli armed forces can be used in firearms, tanks or helicopters of the types used by the Israeli armed forces in action against civilians in the Occupied Territories. [138010]

Mr. Hain

With regard to details of the equipment licensed for export to Israel on Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) since 2 May 1997, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs on 17 November 2000,Official Report, column 809W.

All applications to this Government for licences to export defence equipment have been, and continue to be, considered on a case by case basis against the strict export licensing criteria.

We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export by this Government has been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories during the recent violence. Should any such evidence appear we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment containing components licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139243]

Mr. Hain

We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. We would be very concerned if such evidence came to light and would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon.

Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000,Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139244]

Mr. Hain

We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. If such evidence came to light we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon.