Committees on Arms ExportsLetter to the Chair of the Committees from Rt Hon William Hague MP, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

I am writing to advise you about a change in our export controls to Argentina.

The Business Secretary has today laid before the House a Written Ministerial Statement relating to a tightening of our export controls to Argentina. I enclose a copy. Since 1998 our approach has been to refuse exports which would allow Argentina to enhance her military capabilities but to approve licences for goods which maintained existing capability. As members of the Committees are aware from our responses to questions on the BIS quarterly reports, our exports to Argentina have included components for aircraft and naval vessels for maintenance purposes.

In view of recent Argentine actions aimed at the economic interests of the Falkland Islanders, the Government has concluded that it is now appropriate to review this policy. With effect from today we are introducing new restrictions on the export of licensable trade and brokering to the Argentine military. In future no licences will be granted for military or dual use goods for military end users in Argentina unless there are compelling exceptional reasons to do so. Extant licences will be reviewed with a view to revoking any which are not consistent with this new policy.

I am copying this letter to the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee for information.

26 April 2012