HL Deb 19 March 2001 vol 623 c132WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What licences they have approved since May 1997 for refurbishment of weapons on behalf of the Moroccan Government; what these weapons were; and whether they were supplied by a United Kingdom manufacturer. [HL621]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The entry in the Export of Goods (Control) Regulations 1994, as amended, under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The export of weapons and components of weapons is controlled under entries ML1, ML2, ML4, ML5, ML12, ML18, ML19, ML21, ML22, PL5002, PL5006, PL5017, PL5018 and PL5030. Records for cases involving the relevant ratings to Morocco have been searched. Since 2 May 1997 the Government have approved the issue of one standard individual export licence for the refurbishment of weapons to Morocco. This licence covered the export of spares and components and was issued to a UK exporter for the refurbishment of 105mm guns already in the possession of the Moroccan Government. The guns were originally supplied by the UK Government.