Written question asked by Mark Simmonds (Conservative) on Friday, 10 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 December 2004. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Monday, 20 December 2004 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 assessment has been made of the likely implications of ending the EU-China Arms embargo on (a) the UK defence industry and (b) trade with the United States.

Answer: Mr. Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the likely implications of ending the EU-China Arms embargo on (a) the UK defence industry and (b) trade with the United States. [204803] Mr. MacShane: If the EU Arms Embargo on China were lifted export licence applications would continue to be assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, used for all applications. In particular an export licence would not be issued if there was a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression or external aggression. The Government supported the decision of the European Council in December 2003 to review the EU Arms Embargo on China. The Government is taking all relevant factors into account in the ongoing review--it does not wish to exclude any options for, nor to pre- empt the conclusion of the review.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 204803; 428 c1396W;428 c1397W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Arms trade Defence equipment China Licensing Export controls EU action EU external trade USA Sanctions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk