Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Astor of Hever (Conservative). It was answered by Lord Drayson (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 March 2010.

Defence: Export of Military Components

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for reducing the amount of paperwork associated with granting licences for the export of military components to NATO allies.

Answer: My Lords, first, I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the families and friends of Senior Aircraftman Luke Southgate, II Squadron RAF Regiment, Rifleman Martin Kinggett, 4th Battalion The Rifles, Sergeant Paul Fox, 28 Engineer Regiment, Rifleman Carlo Apolis, 4th Battalion The Rifles, as well as a soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who died recently while on operations in Afghanistan. I turn now to the Question. We have eliminated the need for paperwork by making the licensing process fully electronic via the online SPIRE system, introduced in September 2007. Exporters also benefit from an open general export licence which allows, subject to certain conditions, military goods to be exported to the government of, or NATO headquarters in, specified countries.

Secondary information