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

I thought that I should write to provide you with notice of my intention to issue before the House on 9 February a Written Ministerial Statement about a change in the general policy on the current ban on the export of Tasers from the UK.

You will be aware that the policy of a total ban on the export of Tasers was reviewed by FCO Ministers in 2006, 2007 and 2009, with a decision being made to maintain the ban each time. I have given further consideration to this issue and have agreed that we will maintain the current ban on the export of Tasers from the UK but allow certain limited, explicit exceptions to this general policy.

I have agreed this change to address the operational difficulties for British Police Forces caused by current Government policy on the export of Tasers, by allowing these Forces to procure, transfer and deploy Tasers in certain limited and explicit circumstances, while maintaining the very restrictive approach to these exports more generally. This change will also allow our Police Forces in the Channel Islands to comply more fully with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary recommendations.

Exports will be approved on the understanding that any envisaged use by those British Police Forces would be in line with the standards required of UK mainland Police Forces.

Operational difficulties can now be overcome by a narrowly defined exception that specifies the precise circumstances when particular entities would be permitted to export this equipment. This allows the Government to retain its strong stance on restricting the export of goods with a high risk of misuse for human rights abuses or human repression, while being consistent with the policy governing the use of Tasers by UK mainland Police Forces.

I have agreed this change on the understanding that we will only approve licence applications for the export of Tasers where they are consistent with this very narrow definition of exceptions to the general UK export control policy to ban all exports of this equipment. The policy will be kept under review in fine with the Home Office’s Scientific Development Branch’s responsibility for monitoring and reviewing the use of Tasers by all British Police Forces.

This decision will also aid the operational effectiveness of mainland Police Forces by allowing the return of unwanted and faulty Tasers to overseas manufacturers. The export of Tasers other than to Police Forces in Crown Dependencies, and certain Overseas Territories, or for return to the manufacturer, remains prohibited.

I had intended to issue this statement before Christmas, but more time was required for further cross-Whitehall consultation. This has now concluded and the statement can now be issued.

I am copying this letter to Richard Ottaway.

8 February 2012