Committees on Arms ExportsLetter to the Chair of the Committees from Alistair Burt MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Government welcomes the Committee on Arms Export Control’s Report on UK Strategic Export Controls, published on 5 April 2011. We will carefully study the Report and the recommendations contained therein.

As you are aware, the Foreign Secretary announced to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on 16 March that the Government would review its policy and practice with regard to the export of crowd control equipment. This review, on which the Government will report to Parliament after Easter, addresses a number of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Committee’s Report. The Government will also, in accordance with standard practice, respond to all of the conclusions and recommendations in the Report by Command Paper within two months.

I understand that discussions are currently under way to find a mutually convenient date in June for the Committee’s export control visit to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Counter Proliferation Department. I look forward to welcoming you and the Committee then.

7 April 2011