HC Deb 06 May 2003 vol 404 cc582-3W
Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) pursuant to her answer of 11 April 2003,Official Report, column 460W, on arms exports, what independent assessments by computer security analysts her Department has sought on the levels of security and encryption required for computers used by those applying for arms licences; [110539]

(2) pursuant to her answer of 11 April 2003, Official Report, column 460W, on arms exports, whether there will be security protocols for the electronic transfer of information via intranets specifically to guarantee security when companies have global networks which extend to countries for which individual export licences have not been granted. [110540]

Nigel Griffiths

Applicants for licences are responsible for the level of security in whatever form they choose to submit it. Appropriate advice will be given.

Mr. Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 11 April 2003,Official Report, column 460W, on arms exports, if she will estimate the cost of establishing a register of arms dealers and brokers to which interested parties would have to sign up before applying for arms licences. [110541]

Nigel Griffiths

The Government have not proposed such a register and therefore have made no estimate of the consequent costs.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is on dealing with outstanding UK contracts with countries that face new restrictions on arms trading; and if she will make a statement. [110393]

Nigel Griffiths

Where a UK, EU or UK embargo is placed on a country which is being supplied by a UK contractor, there are established mechanisms in place to ensure the embargo is fully complied with. Implementation periods have been proposed relating to the new legislation to enable applicants to consider how to comply with the new legislation.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used in assessing a country's probability as a conduit for arms supply to banned countries; and if she will make a statement. [110394]

Nigel Griffiths

I refer the hon. Member to the reply from my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Peter Hain), the then Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley, on 26 October 2000,Official Report, column 199–203W.