§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce further legislation to control the export of arms from the UK; and if he will make a statement. [1856]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 3 July 2001]: The Export Control Bill was introduced to Parliament on 26 June. This follows a comprehensive and detailed review by the Government of the existing legislative framework governing strategic export controls, taking into account the views of all interested parties. The Export Control Bill will replace the export control provisions of the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939. The Bill contains new powers to strengthen the export control regime, sets out the purposes for which export controls can be imposed and provides for parliamentary scrutiny of secondary legislation made under the Bill.