Written question asked by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 23 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 May 2001. It was answered by Stephen Byers (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, If the proposals on arms brokering in the draft Export Control and Non-Proliferation Bill will apply to the activities of UK citizens operating wholly abroad. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the proposals on arms brokering in the draft Export Control and Non-Proliferation Bill will apply to the activities of UK citizens operating wholly abroad. [159072] Mr. Byers: The draft Bill contains a new general power to control trafficking and brokering carried out by persons in the UK or by UK persons abroad. The Government will use this power to control trafficking and brokering activities carried out by persons in the UK and by UK persons abroad, which involve the supply of arms to embargoed destinations, the supply of torture equipment or the supply of long-range missiles. The Government have also proposed to introduce a general licensing requirement on trafficking and brokering in weapons, ammunition and other key military and para-military equipment, to any destination. We are now consulting on the possibility of applying this licensing requirement to the activities of UK persons carried out wholly abroad. A decision on this issue will be made in the light of the results of the consultation which closes on 24 May.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 159072; 367 c767-8W
Session: 2000-01
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Arms trade Defence equipment Export controls Monitoring Proliferation Regulation
Legislation: Draft Export Control and Non-proliferation Bill
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk