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Export Control

Answer

The Government publish information on export licences in the annual and quarterly reports on strategic export controls. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. military, other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. They are available to view on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website at https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk. As an export licence is required to export arms and other military equipment from the United Kingdom, details about what items were licensed for export to Bahrain will be contained within these reports. However, the fact that a licence has been issued does not mean that an export has necessarily taken place. These reports do not contain names of applicants or details of whether specific conditions have been imposed. Disclosure of the names of companies would not be in the public interest because this information is provided in confidence to the Government along with other details (such as names of end-users and third parties) that are not published in the reports. The release of information would prejudice commercial interests and would reveal information that has been provided to the Government in confidence. Lastly, all export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, taking account of all prevailing circumstances at the time of application. A licence will not be issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the criteria or other relevant announced commitments. In particular, criterion two concerns the ““respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination””, and states that the Government will not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression. If the situation in the country changes or new information comes to light that causes us to have concerns, we can and do revoke export licences where we consider that the proposed export would, in light of the changing situation, contravene the criteria.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

14984; 734 c328-9WA

Session

2010-12

Subjects

Arms trade Export controls Bahrain

Link

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