Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2007.

Israel and Palestine: British Armaments

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What assessment they have made of the part played by British armaments sold to Israel in the military strikes on northern Gaza.

Answer: We have no evidence that UK-supplied equipment was used by Israel in military action in northern Gaza. Our overseas posts monitor any reported misuse of UK-origin defence equipment. Should any such information come to our attention, it would be raised with the Israeli Government and taken into account when assessing any future applications. We would also, if appropriate, revoke other related licences. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed against the consolidated EU and national export licensing criteria and other prevailing circumstances at the time of application. If an application is considered inconsistent with the criteria a licence will not be issued. Details of all export licences are available in the quarterly and annual reports on strategic export controls submitted to Parliament and are subject to detailed retrospective scrutiny by the Quadripartite Committee on Strategic Export Controls. These are available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 773; 688 c27WA
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Armed conflict Arms trade Defence equipment Exports Israel Palestine Middle East Gaza
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk