Quadripartite Select Committee Written Evidence


Further memorandum from the Export Control Organisation, Department of Trade and Industry

  Quarterly Report for: (i) January to March 2006; and April to June 2006; and Annual Report of 2006

3.   Details of the three revocations. Is the Government aware whether UK companies have had to pay compensation because of a breach of a contract?

  The three SIEL revocations reported as having been made in the Quarterly Report for the second calendar quarter of 2006, covered goods that, following the introduction of the EU Torture Regulation, were no longer covered by the Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) Order 2003, but were instead covered by Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 of 27 June 2005, as implemented by the Export Control (Security and para-military Goods) Order 2006 and The Technical Assistance Control Regulations 2006. Two of the licenses were subsequently reissued under the new legislation and the third was no longer required by the exporter. Thus, these were all "technical" revocations which did not prevent any exports taking place, None would have given rise to any breach of contract.

  It also transpires that these revocations should have been recorded as having appeared at the beginning of the third quarter rather that the end of the second. Our report on the third quarter will cover any other revocations in that quarter.

15.   How many OIELs with terms of five years or longer were issued in 2005 and 2006?

  Of a total of 503 OIELs issued between 1 January and 31 December 2005, 336 have a validity period of five years or longer. For the period 1 January 2006-30 November 2006, 399 OIELs were issued of which 347 have a validity of five years or longer. OIELs are usually issued for five years, but ECO will consider issuing them for shorter or longer periods depending on the circumstances. OIELs of any validity period will only be issued following careful assessment and if consistent with the criteria. HMG keeps its export licensing decisions under review, for example in the light of changing circumstances, and our advisory Department carry out a review once a year of extant OIELs to determine if their original advice to DTI is still current. OIELs can be revoked or amended at any time.

23.   Has the Export Control Organisation a business place for the next 2-3 years? If it does, please supply a copy.

  Please find attached ECO's Business Plan for the 2006-07 financial year. [not printed]

January 2006





 
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