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Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Thursday, 14 September 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 October 2017. It was answered by Mark Garnier (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 October 2017 on behalf of the Department for International Trade.

Arms Trade: Trade Fairs

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will take steps to monitor whether (a) C-RICH Co. Ltd and (b) other stall holders at the DSEI Arms Fair 2017 are (i) selling or (ii) promoting (A) electric stun guns baton type, (B) electric stun guns hand type, (C) leg irons and (D) thumb cuffs to countries which (1) the UK and (2) international obligations prohibit the sale of (aa) such equipment and (bb) military equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

The Government worked closely with the exhibition organiser, Clarion Defence and Security Ltd, to ensure that all exhibitors at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) were aware of their export control obligations. This includes which items they were prohibited from supplying or delivering – or agreeing to supply or deliver – or refraining from acts calculated to promote the supply or delivery of such items, including exhibiting and advertising. Government hosted a pre-event briefing with Clarion to ensure they were fully aware of their responsibilities. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who are responsible for the enforcement of export and trade controls, also attended the briefing to provide clear compliance guidance and to review the procedures Clarion had put in place.

The Export Control Joint Unit had a dedicated stand at DSEI which was manned by Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Trade officials. HMRC were present during each day of the exhibition to ensure exhibitors complied with UK Trade Controls, as they were in 2015. C-RICH Co and other stall holders were visited by HMRC.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
105414
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Arms trade Monitoring Trade fairs Restraint equipment Stun guns
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk