Written question asked by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 8 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 March 2001. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Thursday, 15 March 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what consideration he gave to the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports in deciding to issue a licence for the refurbishment of Moroccan heavy artillery in occupied Western Sahara.

Answer: Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he gave to the EU code of conduct on arms exports in deciding to issue a licence for the refurbishment of Moroccan heavy artillery in occupied Western Sahara. [153672] Mr. Wilson: The export licence application for artillery spare parts to Morocco and the subsequent appeal were judged against the EU Code of Conduct, as are all export licence applications considered by my Department. The Department of Trade and Industry is the Department responsible for co-ordinating the export licence application process and granting licences. As a part of this process the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides advice to the DTI on individual export licence applications, and any subsequent appeals.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 153672; 364 c677W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Armed conflict Arms trade Export controls EU action Morocco Western Sahara Artillery
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk