Committees on Arms ExportsLetter from the Chairman of the Committees to the Rt Hon Vince Cable MP Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

It was reported in The Independent on December 1 that Mr Guy Savage had been arrested and that “an arsenal of weapons including assault rifles and ammunition” had been found both at his home in Pinner, Middlesex and at his business premises in Northolt. It is also reported that he has been accused of smuggling weapons to Iraq and the Middle East.

Please could you tell me whether you consider that this case has exposed any weaknesses in the present arms export control legislation or procedures, and, if so, what action the Government will take.

For convenience, I attach a copy of the report in The Independent.

16 December 2011