Supplementary memorandum from the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office
I am writing to you following the evidence session
on 15 March.
Robert Key MP asked whether I could give the
Committee an example of a licence refused to India under Criterion
4—preservation of regional peace, security and stability.
In 2005-06 we did not refuse any licences to India under Criterion
4. However earlier this year, we refused an F680 application to
India on the grounds of Criterion 4. An F680 is not an export
licence application but is a request for permission to carry out
preliminary activities. It is considered under the same Criteria
as an export license application. The refused F680 was for market
surveys and promotion of anti-tank weapons systems.
More generally, in 2005 there were a total of
17 export licence refusals under Criterion 4. These were to destinations
including: Ertirea, Ethiopia, China and Israel. In 2006, the total
number of licences refused was 135 licences, of which 22 were
on the basis of Criterion 4 concerns. These were to destinations
including Israel and China. I hope this reassures the Committee
about how seriously we take the issue of regional stability when
assessing licence applications.
I would also like to take this opportunity to
clarify a point that was raised at the evidence session about
the Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance Department (HRDGG)
of the Foreign Office. In responding to the Committee's question
about how many licences are sent to HRDGG, I'm afraid the impression
may have been given that every licence received in the Foreign
Office is sent to HRDGG. In fact, only those licences where there
is a concern on the grounds of Criterion 2 are sent to HRDGG.
In 2006, this was the case in a total of 631 licences.
During the session the Committee also raised
the issue of Cluster Munitions. You will by now have seen the
Ministerial Statement given by the Defence Secretary on 20 March
2007, announcing the withdrawal and disposal of the UK's "dumb"
cluster munitions with immediate effect, This is a significant
and positive step towards addressing their humanitarian impact.
We will continue to urge other countries to take similar action.I
would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Committee
for inviting me, for what I hope you will agree, was a productive
session. Work on the 2006 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls
is currently underway, and I look forward to seeing the Committee's
comments on the report once it is published.
April 2007
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