§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions he has raised(a) the waiver for United Kingdom companies from the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations and (b) the fast track for United Kingdom defence export permits with the US Administration; and when he expects these issues to be resolved. [144853]
§ Mr. HoonI, and other members of the Government have raised the issue of improved defence trade cooperation with the US Administration on several occasions this year. The Government are seeking a United Kingdom waiver from the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which will better meet the needs of UK industry than an agreement about processing times for the licensing of US items for export to the UK. The joint statement the Prime Minister issued with President Bush on 20 November affirmed that they both consider it a high priority to implement a licensing exemption that will facilitate defence trade between our countries.
We hope that the waiver will come into effect next year, subject to congressional and parliamentary approval, and after the necessary implementing regulations and administrative procedures have been put in place.