4 Conclusion
50. The
US export control system, as currently administered, discourages
collaboration between UK and US industry and inhibits the swift
supply of urgently needed equipment to our Forces in theatres
of operation. Given how closely UK and US Forces cooperate in
theatre, this is clearly in the interests of neither the UK nor
the US.
51. We, like
many others, considered that an ITAR waiver might be a way of
preserving the close relationship between the UK and the US. The
Treaty offers an alternative route. We have scrutinised the Treaty
and we conclude that the principles it sets out offer the opportunity
for the UK and US to strengthen further and deepen their defence
relationship and allow greater levels of cooperation and interoperability.
Industry on both sides of the Atlantic firmly supports the Treaty
and we believe the Treaty accords with the Government's Defence
Industrial Strategy.
52. The extent
and nature of the benefits to the Government and the defence industry
in the UK will depend on the Implementing Arrangements. In the
expectation that the UK and the US will agree satisfactory Implementing
Arrangements, we support the UK's ratification of the UK/US Defence
Trade Cooperation Treaty.
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