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Dept of Trade and Industry

Answer

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings there have been between officials from his Department and the Defence Manufacturers Association Export Licensing Group over the last two years; if these meetings discussed export licence controls relating to restraint equipment; and if he will publish the minutes of these meetings. [98537] Dr. Howells: [holding answer 22 November 1999]: Since 2 May 1997 there have been three meetings between officials of the Export Control Organisation and members of the Defence Manufacturers Association Export Licensing Group on 22 April and 23 November 1998 and 26 May 1999; another meeting is due to take place on 25 November. No formal minutes are taken by my officials, and the meetings provide an opportunity for the Association to discuss informally a broad range of procedural issues, principally matters relating to the introduction of the ELATE computer-based application form in March 1999 and organisational changes within the Export Control Organisation. The meetings are not intended to serve as a forum for the discussion of Government policy with respect to the export of particular goods or exports to particular destinations and there has not been any discussion of the ban on the export of leg irons and other equipment that has been used in torture announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 65-66. It should also be noted that many applicants for export licences are of course members of the Defence Manufacturers Association and, as such, are from time to time in contact with officials in the Export Control Organisation about the progress of their applications.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

339 c101-2W; 98537

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Export controls Restraint equipment British Defence Manufacturers Export Licensing Group