Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 December 2005. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Zirconium Silicate (Iran)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, OfficialReport, column 1677W, on zirconium silicate (Iran), what the process is by which potential exports of zirconium silicate are identified for the case-by-case consideration referred to; and who is responsible for identifying whether the material in question is to be used in connection with a weapons of mass destruction programme.

Answer: [holding answer 19 December 2005]: The Export Control Organisation (ECO) in DTI determines whether the goods are on the Control Lists and if not, whether an export licence may still be required under the WMD end-use control (depending on the end-user). ECO is ultimately responsible for this judgment, but will usually seek advice from relevant other Government Departments. If the goods are assessed as licensable, a judgment will then be made about whether a licence should be granted.

Secondary information