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Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Wednesday, 10 July 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 July 2019. It was answered by Alan Duncan (Conservative) on Friday, 19 July 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the United Nations Security Council letter dated 26 January 2018 from the Panel of Experts on Yemen mandated by Security Council resolution 2342 (2017) addressed to the President of the Security Council, what steps he took following publication of (a) footnotes 19 and 20 on page 267 and (b) footnote 39 page on 272 recording that components of missiles used by the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen were manufactured by EDO MBM Technology Limited, UK.

Answer

The Government rigorously assesses arms export licences against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. We draw on a wide range of sources of information in making our assessments, including reports from the UN Panel of Experts. We will not issue any export licences for Saudi Arabia that are inconsistent with the Consolidated Criteria, including Criterion 2(c): where there is a clear risk that the goods might be used in the commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.

The Government disagrees with the 20 June Court of Appeal judgment and is appealing to the Supreme Court. We are also carefully considering the implications of the judgment for decision-making. While we do this, we will not grant any new licences for exports to Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners for items which might be used in the conflict in Yemen.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
275727
Session
2017-19
Related items
Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade
Tuesday, 3 March 2020
Written questions
House of Commons
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Arms trade Saudi Arabia Yemen Military intervention
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk