Written question asked by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Monday, 13 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 December 2004. It was answered by Jack Straw (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, pursuant to the Answer of 7th December 2004, 428 c476W, whether the Government would be bound by a decision of the European Council to suspend the arms embargo against China; whether the United Kingdom can unilaterally impose an arms embargo on China; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2004, Official Report, column 476W, whether the Government would be bound by a decision of the European Council to suspend the arms embargo against China; whether the United Kingdom can unilaterally impose an arms embargo on China; and if he will make a statement. [205325] Mr. Straw: Any decision to lift the EU Arms Embargo on China would have to be taken by unanimous agreement of all EU member states, including the UK. EU control of defence equipment exports to China would continue to be governed by the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. It is possible, irrespective of the existence of an EU arms embargo on a country, for a member state to impose a national embargo on that country (as is the case with the UK's embargo on Iran) although arms embargoes are very much more effective when applied multilaterally.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 205325; 428 c1396-7W;428 c1397W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Arms trade Defence equipment China Export controls EU action Sanctions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk