Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 July 1997. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 July 1997 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: If he will ban exports of scientific equipment to research institutes in (a) India, (b) Pakistan, (c) China, (d) Russia and (e) Israel suspected of nuclear weapon development. - (Holding answer 28 July 1997).

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ban exports of scientific equipment to research institutes in (a) India, (b) Pakistan, (c) China, (d) Russia and (e) Israel suspected of nuclear weapon development; and if he will make a statement. [11015] Mr. Tony Lloyd: [holding answer 28 July 1997]: It is not the intention of the present Government to embargo the export of scientific equipment to any country, other than to fulfil a binding commitment made in an international forum. It is our policy not to grant licences for the export of items of scientific equipment controlled under the Export of goods (Control) Order 1994, Council Regulation (EC) 3381/94, and related Council decision 94/942/CFSP as amended, or the Dual Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996 as amended, where to do so would risk the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or of missiles capable of delivering them.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 11015; 299 c155W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: China Exports Export controls Equipment Facilities India Nuclear weapons Pakistan Technology Research Science Russia Israel Nuclear physics