§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is concerning the export to Israel of goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons; what changes were made to his policy during 2000; arid if he will make a statement. [145332]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 15 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply.
Applications for licences to export to Israel arms or other goods controlled for strategic reasons are considered on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national criteria that I announced on 26 October 2000, Official Report, columns 199–203W. This means inter alia that we will not issue licences where there is a clear risk that the equipment might be used for internal repression or external aggression or to provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions.
We assess all applications, and make judgments, both against the criteria and in light of the information available at the time. No changes have been made to this policy in 2000. Inevitably however, unexpected events do happen and can alter the basis of those judgments.
We have no evidence that equipment or components licensed for export to Israel by this Government have been used by Israeli security forces against civilians in the occupied territories or in southern Lebanon. We would be concerned if such evidence came to light. We continue to monitor the situation closely.
We are, and have been, in regular direct contact with the Israeli Government as part of our inquiries to confirm that equipment and components licensed for export form the UK have not been used against civilians in the occupied territories and have received an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians during the recent disturbances.