Written question asked by Lord Cryer (Labour) on Wednesday, 4 May 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 May 2011. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

United Arab Emirates: AssetCo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the use of (a) military and (b) other equipment sold to the government of United Arab Emirates by AssetCo plc in recent actions in (i) Manama, Bahrain and (ii) other cities or towns in Bahrain; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: We have seen no evidence that military or other equipment sold by AssetCo plc has been used in Bahrain. We have not seen Emirati forces on the streets in Bahrain and we have seen no evidence that Gulf Co-operation forces have done anything other than safeguard installations. The Government take their arms export responsibilities very seriously, and operate one of the most rigorous arms export control regimes in the world. We do not export equipment where there is a clear risk it could be used for internal repression.

Secondary information