Letter from Minister for Defence Procurement
to the Chairman (21 May 2003)
I noted the interest that the House of Commons
Defence Committee took in a number of defence industrial issues
during the oral evidence session with the Defence Industries Council
on Tuesday 13 May, one of which was the progress on the achievement
of a Waiver from the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations
(ITAR).
You are as aware as I, that the operation of
the ITAR imposes constraints on cooperation in the defence technology
arena, in sharp contrast to the depth of cooperation between the
UK and the US in other sensitive areas of national security (such
as operations and intelligence). Nor is it the optimum way for
the US to maintain oversight of the re-transfer of US technology
to third parties.
However, I would like to take the opportunity
to inform you personally that UK and US Government officials have
recently agreed proposed texts for a waiver from the ITAR. This
will provide for export licensing requirements to be waived in
respect of certain unclassified defence items and technical data
provided to Her Majesty's Government and qualified companies in
the UK, and hence facilitate US/UK defence industrial collaboration.
There remain regulatory and administrative implementation
measures on both sides of the Atlantic to complete the undertakings
that have been agreed between the two Governments. However, you
will appreciate that this is an important step towards the mutual
substantial benefits to be gained.
Parliament will of course have the opportunity
to comment formally on the proposed arrangements at the appropriate
time. That said, given your Committee's particular interest, should
you wish for an informal briefing on the detail of the arrangements
in advance, my officials and those from the Department of Trade
and Industry would be willing to do so. You will also wish to
be aware that the US Administration will be similarly briefing
Congress on the merits of this agreement.
I am writing in similar terms to Bernard Jenkin
and Paul Keetch.
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