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Private Military and Security Companies

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Henry Bellingham) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. On 9 March 2011, I announced that, following a bidding process, the Government would be entering further discussions with Aerospace Defence and Security (ADS) to determine the next steps for ensuring the implementation of a robust code and monitoring regime for UK-based private military and security companies (PMSCs). I can now confirm that following further consultations ADS has been appointed the Government’s partner in developing and implementing UK national standards for PMSCs. ADS has established a special interest group, the Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG), which will support the Government in the transparent regulation of companies that operate in this sector. Membership of the SCEG is open to all UK-based PMSCs that have signed the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers. We are in the forefront of countries working to establish national standards derived from the international code, which was signed in Geneva in November 2010. One hundred and twenty-five PMSCs, of which 45 are UK-based, have now signed up to the international code and more are in the process of joining. At an international level, the UK Government, along with the Swiss, US and Australian Governments, are now working with NGO and industry partners according to a published work plan to establish a mechanism to monitor compliance with the code. Each stage of the work plan is open to public consultation and can be accessed through the International Code of Conduct’s website: www.icoc-psp.org. There will be no duplication between UK national and international standards. The UK Government will use their leverage as a key buyer of PMSC services to promote compliance with the international code and to encourage other PMSC clients to do likewise.