Scrutiny of Arms Export Controls (2009): UK Strategic Export Controls Annual Report 2007, Quarterly Reports for 2008, licensing policy and review of export control legislation - Defence Committee Contents


Memorandum from Bill Rammell MP, then Minister of State at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office

  At the session of the Committees on Arms Export Controls on 22 April Sir John Stanley raised a question about a recent report in the Independent newspaper that British-made components had been discovered in the remnants of bombs used by the Taleban in Afghanistan[77]. I undertook to provide the Committee with a written response.

  There have been a number of recent press reports alleging that British citizens have been directly supporting the Taleban in Helmand Province and that British-made components have been used in improvised explosive devices. Any claims of British involvement with the Taleban are looked at seriously. There is, however, no definitive evidence to substantiate any of these allegations

  It is clear that insurgent techniques and tactics have evolved and that they are increasingly using improvised explosive devices. We take any threat to our personnel very seriously and we do everything possible to protect them. We constantly monitor the capability and protection requirements of our troops and have a well-developed route in place by which commanders on the ground can ask for new or additional military equipment to address these threats.

30 April 2009






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Prepared 19 August 2009