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Written question asked by Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 13 December 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 December 2021. It was answered by Mike Freer (Conservative) on Monday, 20 December 2021 on behalf of the Department for International Trade.


Arms Trade: Export Controls

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to Written Statement of 8 December 2021, HCWS449 on Trade Policy Update, whether her Department has made an assessment of the impact of new licensing criteria on the likelihood of UK arms to be used in humanitarian contexts.

Answer

HM Government takes its arms export responsibilities seriously and assesses export licence applications in accordance with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

These Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework for assessing export licence applications and require us to think hard about the impact of providing equipment and its capabilities. They maintain the high standards we and European partners share on internal repression, international humanitarian law and the upholding of international obligations more generally.

We will not license the export of equipment where to do so would be inconsistent with these Criteria.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
92072
Session
2021-22
Related items
Trade Policy Update
Wednesday, 8 December 2021
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Arms trade Export controls
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk