§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to support an international arms treaty by 2006 to prevent the export of arms where they contribute to violations of human rights and humanitarian law; and if he will make a statement. [132556]
§ Mr. MacShaneI have been asked to reply.
The Government fully support the aim of raising export control standards internationally. The UK operates the most vigorous export control policies in the world and actively works to encourage other states to apply similar principles. Any instrument that has the support of all major arms exporting states would be an important step towards this goal. The Government are still considering the ramifications of the proposed 660W treaty; however, it is clearly an important contribution to the international debate on arms export control issues.