Written question asked by David Heathcoat-Amory (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 January 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 23 January 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Surplus Equipment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on controls over the end use of surplus military equipment sold by his Department.

Answer: Surplus equipment that is considered to have potential further use in a military application is subject to inter-departmental clearance procedures on security, political, industrial and technological grounds including consideration of the end use where sold to other Governments. All sales agreements with other Governments make specific provision for Her Majesty's Government to approve any subsequent transfer or sale. For sales into the commercial market, once title has transferred, there is no restriction placed upon subsequent transfer or sale provided the buyer complies with all the requirements of the export licensing regime should it be decided to export from the UK. We routinely demilitarise the most sensitive military equipment and dispose as waste or recycle equipment that cannot be sold for further use.

Secondary information