§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department had with the Department for Trade and Industry regarding the decision to license the export of beryllium to(a) India and (b) Iran in 2001. [74696]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence has regular discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry on all relevant aspects of export licensing. Disclosure of internal opinions, advice, recommendation and consultation on individual export licence issues could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussions. I am, therefore, withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 2 (Internal Discussions and advice) of Part II of the Government's Code of Practice on Access to Government information.