Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Wilcox (Conservative) on Thursday, 2 December 2010.

Export Control

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with officials in Germany, France, Russia, China and the United States about the reasons why those countries enacted legislative re-export control provisions; and whether, in any such discussions, they have been told that those provisions are unenforceable, have no deterrent effect, or are to be rescinded. .

Answer: Discussions on arms export controls take place between EU member states in the Council Working Group on Conventional Arms and between participating states in the Wassenaar arrangement. These discussions reveal that, like the UK, Germany and France include re-export controls in their export control systems. The UK, and both Germany and France fully examine the risk of diversion of arms when deciding whether or not to grant an export licence. All countries are limited in their enforcement of re-export provisions by questions of national jurisdiction. The UK Government continue to support the UN negotiations towards a robust and effective international arms trade treaty, as the best way to ensure high, legally binding standards for the export of conventional arms globally; the UK continues to pursue this goal, including through consultations with other EU member states, the US, China and Russia.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4587; 722 c477-8WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Export Control
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Arms trade China Export controls Germany France USA Russia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk