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Arms Exports

Answer

The UK has one of the most robust arms export licensing regimes in the world. All export licence applications, including any for Sri Lanka, are rigorously assessed on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (which incorporates the EU Code of Conduct). Assessments of applications take account of all available information at the time of the application, including information about the situation in the receiving country, the capability and stated end use of the goods, and the past behaviour of the end user. Licences will not be issued if the proposed exports would be inconsistent with any of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. In particular, a licence will not be issued if there is a clear risk that the goods would be used for internal repression, would provoke or prolong armed conflict or would aggravate existing tensions within the recipient country. Consequently, the UK has fully observed the code of conduct for all destinations, including Sri Lanka. Individual EU member states are responsible for observing the code of conduct. I am unable to comment on the actions of other member states in this respect. The Government continue to be very concerned by the internal situation in Sri Lanka, both in terms of the recent conflict and the human rights situation, which is inextricably linked to it. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely. All export licence applications for military and dual use equipment will continue to be rigorously scrutinised on a case by case basis and a licence will not be issued if to do so would be inconsistent with the consolidated criteria.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

4020; 711 c279WA

Session

2008-09

Subjects

Access Codes of practice Conduct Arms trade Defence equipment EU countries Exports Humanitarian aid Politics and government Press freedom Sri Lanka Tamils

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk