Further memorandum from the Government
Unclassified section of HMG's letter of 26 April
2006 to Quadripartite Committee.
Third Quarterly Report for 2005 (July to September
2005) and earlier reports.
SECTION A: QUESTIONS
APPLYING TO
SEVERAL LICENCES
IN THE
THIRD QUARTER
OF 2005
1. It is noted that a number of licences
permit the export of goods to Argentina. It would assist the Committee
to have a statement of the Government's policy on the export of
arms to Argentina.
All relevant export applications for Argentina
are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated
EU and National Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of the
circumstances prevailing at the time and other relevant announced
Government policies, in particular, the Ministerial Statement
of 17 December 1998, HC 721.
2. The value of SIEL exports to Brazil
has increasde from £1 million in the previous quarter to
£81 million in the quarter under review and in Chile from
£1000,000 to £135 million. What assessment has the Government
made of the effect of this increase in arms sales on the preservation
of regional peaces, security and stability in South America?
Brazil
A licence was issued for enriched uranium, the
value of which was £80 million. Therefore the increase in
value of SIELs issued was not down to the sale of military goods.
Chile
A licence was issued for frigates, the value
of which was £134 million, and were for former Royal Navy
vessels. [Type 23 Frigates HMS Norfolk, HMS Marlborough, HMS Grafton].
These licenses were assessed against Criterion
4 (preservation of Regional Peace Security and Stability) and
approved on the assessment that there was no clear risk that they
would be used aggressively against another country or to assert
by force a territorial claim.
3. Israel is given as the source of
a number of Open Individual Trade Control Licenses—for example
to Australia, Czech, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland,
Italy, South Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania and Thailand.
What items are covered by these licenses?
The items covered on the OITCL with Israel as
the source to multiple destinations related to general advertising
and promotional activities calculated to promote unmanned aerial
vehicles with a range exceeding 300km (restricted goods) at the
Farnborough Air Show 2006.
4. Why did the value of exports to Iran
covered by SIELS increase from £5 million in the previous
quarter to £164 million in the quarter under review?
Values of export licenses approved varies from
quarter to quarter (as well as annually) due to the number of
licenses completed for each destination,. The considerable increase
in the value of exports to Iran for this quarter is explained
by the granting of a SIEL to permit the export of civilian aero-engines
at a value of £160 million. These engines were destined for
an Iranian civil airline to use on civil passenger aircraft.
5. What appears to be a standard and
comprehensive OIEL for components for military utility aircraft
has been issued for exports to a number of small stated in Europe
t(Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marion, and he Vatican City).
Why have theses OIELS been issued? What assurances have been giver
that the states receiving the items are content to accept the
exports and are able to protect the goods and technology exported
from diversion to third parties? Which of the items listed is
expected to be exported to the Vatican City?
An ORIEL (2053) was granted to permit the export
of goods to in excess of sixty countries in support of the "Open
Skies Treaty." The UK is an active state party to the Open
Skies Treaty, which allows for unarmed overflight of the entire
territory of participating states using a variety of sensors to
detect military activity as part of global arms control. The Treaty
aims to promote transparency in military activities and to enhance
confidence and security building whilst facilitating monitoring
of compliance with other arms control agreements.
* * *
17. What assurances and checks does
the Government carry out on goods which are re-exported from Singapore
All export licence applications are assessed
on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and National
Arms Export Licensing Criteria and other announce policies prevailing
at the time of application.
* * *
SECTION E: OTHER
MATTERS
19. When HUDs which have been exported
from the USA to Israel need to be repaired or replaced, what arrangements
are in place for conveying the HUDs to the UK? Are they sent directly
from Israel to the UK or via he USA?
Whatever arrangements are in place for the repair
or replacement of HUDs is a matter for the parties involved.
April 2006
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