Examination of Witnesses (Questions 160
- 163)
WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY 2005
12 JANUARY 2005 RT
HON JACK
STRAW MP, MR
EDWARD OAKDEN
CMG AND DR
DAVID LANDSMAN
Q160 Chairman: As Chairman of this
Committee you would expect me to say this because we had the discussion
12 months ago. We ask questions that we need to ask to do our
job and one of the problems has been our surprise at the lack
of some information that we thought would have been readily available
using the kind of technology available these days and that answering
some of those questions seemed to us to take longer than we would
have expected. We know perfectly well that if we request greater
regulation there is a cost involved in terms of time and money
and so forth. You can be assured we know that. We are always conscious
of it. I think I have to stress that the Committee has its responsibilities
as well as your department. Nigel's question is still open for
further responses.
Mr Straw: May I also refer you
to page 25 of Command 6357 where we say, "Evidence suggests
that the United Kingdom's refusal rate is comparable to that of
our European counterparts. Specifically dating from the 2003 Annual
Report and the Code of Conduct . . . shows that in 2003 0.91%
of the UK's decisions were to refuse compared to 1.57 for France
and compared to 0.57 for Germany."
Q161 Mr Evans: When the industry
came to see us on two occasions when I have been sitting on this
Committee they gave examples where they believe that we are stricter
in interpretation than our European Union counterparts. When you
are talking to other European Union countries you take very seriously
what the industry has to say, do you?
Mr Straw: Of course. A criticism
of me is more likely to be that I have erred on the side of granting
a licence rather than refusing it where it is a marginal case,
not where the issue is marginal, but the judgment is very finely
balanced. I would draw attention, for example, to the incorporation
statement which I made in June 2002 which was potentially very
controversial but I thought was justified given the way in which
the industry has changed its international configuration. I am
very happy always to take account of concerns of the industry.
Q162 Mr George: Secretary of State,
industry has expressed some concerns about uncertainties relating
to WMD controls over them. Do you have any observations to make
on this? There are a limited number of instances where industry
has had restrictions imposed on them as a result of the Government's
insistence on more complete controls over possible implications
for WMD exports.
Mr Oakden: I think that may be
referring to the need for a licence when it is being transferred
to UK forces operating outside the UK.
Q163 Mr George: That is the second
question. I hope this does not impose too much on you, but I am
sure the Chairman will write a letter and maybe you could answer.
Mr Straw: If you have got specific
concerns, I will follow those up, yes.
Chairman: We have finished slightly earlier
than anticipated. Foreign Secretary, could I thank you very much
indeed for your presence this morning. There are one or two issues
arising that we will pass on to you in writing ever aware of the
fact, very sincerely, that it does take time for your officials
to respond, but we only ask questions that are important for this
Committee to do its work and so a few more of those will be coming
in your direction.[7]
Thank you very much indeed.
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