8 CONCLUSION
247. Limiting the proliferation of weapons, from
small arms to biological agents, is one of the major political
issues of our time. It is, quite literally, a matter of life and
death. Export controls are only a part of the solution, but are
a crucial part of it. To be reasonably effective, such controls
must be applied internationally, and countries must have the skills
and resources to identify and to stop illicit exports. But, as
international drugs trafficking shows only too clearly, it is
unrealistic to expect legislation and border controls to do more
than slow proliferation.
248. Over the last five years, we have probably
given more sustained and detailed attention to the Government's
policy and administration in the area of export controls than
any parliamentary select committee has previously given to any
specific area of policy. But few areas of policy have so deserved
to be subjected to the searchlight of parliamentary scrutiny.
Decisions in this area can affect the national security of our
country, the ability of industry to trade competitively, whether
distant parts of the world live at peace or at war, whether individuals
live or die.
249. Before we began our inquiries, this was an
area of government best known for its secrecy. With the publication
of Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, a little light
has been visible from behind the closed door. But sometimes the
impression of openness is misleading, and information has been
published which has led commentators, quite reasonably, to the
wrong conclusions.
250. Our task has been to ensure that secrecy
is only maintained where it is genuinely justified. Secrecy engenders
mistrust, and it is in the Government's interest to be as open
as it can be in this area. As the Government has discovered, negative
public comment will not be prevented by a lack of openness, or
partial transparency. Our confidential investigations into the
Government's decisions have suggested to us that the Government
has little to be ashamed of. The prize of greater transparency
is therefore one worth winning: the prize of public trust.
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