Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2002. It was answered by Nigel Griffiths (Labour) on Monday, 28 October 2002 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, what assessment was made of the likely end-use of Beryllium prior to export licences being granted for its export to Iran.

Answer: Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment was made of the likely end-use of Beryllium prior to export licences being granted for its export to Iran. [75884] Nigel Griffiths: The Government attaches great importance to ensuring that UK exports are not misused, diverted or re-exported to undesirable end- uses, and this risk is among those identified in the consolidated EU and national aims export licensing criteria. The consolidated criteria set out factors to be considered by Member States in assessing the risk of diversion. The Government believes the best way of minimising the risk of diversion is a thorough risk assessment at the licensing stage and this process includes careful examination of information about the proposed end-use and end-user of the goods. After a detailed assessment of the individual circumstance--less than 1/2 ounce of the application it was judged that the proposed export of 10 grams of beryllium, to the University of Science and Technology in Tehran, did not give rise to concern about use in connection with weapons of mass destruction. In addition, after thorough scrutiny of the application, the Department and its advisors assessed the stated end use as legitimate.

Secondary information