Quadripartite Select Committee Written Evidence


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





 
previous page contents next page

House of Commons home page Parliament home page House of Lords home page search page enquiries index

© Parliamentary copyright 2007
Prepared 7 August 2007