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Security Council Resolution 1373
Lord Merlyn-Rees asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What implications the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 1373 on terrorism have for their policy in respect of arms exports. [HL2018]
The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): By UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001), the Security Council inter alia calls upon member states both to eliminate Xthe supply of weapons to terrorists" (paragraph 2(a)) and to Xco-operate, particularly through bilateral and multilateral arrangements and agreements, to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks and take action against the perpetrators of such attacks" (paragraph 3(c)).
We have therefore reviewed government policy in respect of arms exports in light of this resolution. In view of the Government's strong continued commitment to human rights, regional stability and
the campaign against terrorism, and taking account of the fact that our human rights obligations are not affected by the adoption of the resolution, we believe there is no need to amend the consolidated criteria in order for us to comply fully with the terms of the resolution. Our detailed conclusions are as follows:(1) Export licensing decisions are taken on a case-by-case basis against all of the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, as set out in the Official Report, 26 October 2000, col. 200W, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time. The last paragraph of the preamble to the consolidated criteria states that, XAn export licence will not be issued if the arguments for doing so are outweighed by the need to comply with the UK's international obligations and commitments, by concern that the goods might be used for internal repression or international aggression, by risks to regional stability or by other considerations as described in these criteria".
(2) Criterion two of the consolidated criteria includes the statement that HMG Xconsiders that in some cases the use of force by a Government within its own borders, for example to preserve law and order against terrorists or other criminals, is legitimate and does not constitute internal repression, as long as force is used in accordance with the international human rights standards described above".
(3) In judging individual applications, the Government will take account of the terms of UNSCR 1373 (2001) and will continue to pay attention to this passage in criterion two within the discretion provided by the consolidated criteria.
(4) The consolidated criteria already state that, when considering export licence applications, the Government will take account of the record of the buyer country with regard to Xits support or encouragement of terrorism and international organised crime" (criterion six (a)) and that XThe Government will pay particular attention to the need to avoid diversion of UK exports to terrorist organisations". (criterion seven) This makes clear our commitment to preventing arms exported from the UK from falling into the hands of terrorists.
(5) We are taking additional steps to strengthen our export controls. The Export Control Bill currently going through Parliament gives the Government a number of new powers which will help to improve our ability to prohibit the transfer of arms or related technology to terrorists, including new powers to control the transfer of technology by intangible means and trafficking and brokering in arms. We are aiming to sign the UN Firearms Protocol soon and will encourage others to do so, and have proposed bringing forward analysis of the OSCE's information exchange on the marking of Small Arms. These steps will help us to keep small arms out of terrorists' hands by helping us to trace weapons flows and to combat the illicit manufacture and trafficking in firearms.
(6) Finally, the new Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill includes clauses to close the gaps in our present legislation relating to chemical, nuclear and biological weapons to prevent the use, production, possession or participation in unauthorised transfers of these materials.
Doha Declaration
Baroness Miller of Hendon asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 3 December (HL Deb col. 583), what formal or informal understandings were reached with the French Government to induce them to subscribe to the World Trade Organisation declaration of Doha.[HL1895]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: All members of the European Union signed up to the Doha Declaration on equal terms. The Government cannot comment on the rationale behind decisions taken by other governments.
Baroness Miller of Hendon asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the comment by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 3 December (HL Deb col. 583) that the agreement of the agricultural section of the World Trade Organisation Doha declaration Xcame more readily from some than others", which signatories were the most reluctant to sign.[HL1897]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The agreement reached in Doha constitutes a balanced package of commitments reflecting the full range of interests held by the 142 members of the WTO. Individual members naturally had differing attitudes to particular parts of the whole. It would be inappropriate for the Government to speak for other named governments on their attitude to parts of the declaration.
Near Earth Objects Task Force
Lord Haskel asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What further action will be taken in relation to their responses of 24 February to the recommendations contained in the report of the Near Earth Objects Task Force, which was set up by the Minister of Science.[HL2013]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): An updated response is nearing completion and will be published shortly. Copies will be put with the report and the government response which were placed in the Libraries of both Houses. A copy of this response and press release will also be found at www.nearearthobjects.co.uk.
Joint Services Adventurous Training (Gliding)
Lord Marsh asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the proposed consultation process before making a final decision relating to the future of gliding activity at RAF Upper Rissington and RAF Bicester.[HL1792]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): The consultation process required will depend on the outcome of the study into the permanent location of the Joint Services Adventurous Training (Gliding) function.
British Troops on Active Service
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In how many and in which overseas locations British troops are now deployed on active service and how many have been given nerve agent pre-treatment sets in combination in multiple inoculations against anthrax and other diseases.[HL1799]
Lord Bach: British troops are deployed on active service in 16 countries and Dependent Territories in the Balkans, the Middle East, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, Georgia, the United States of America, Africa and Asia, as well as at sea. Nerve agent pre-treatment sets (NAPS) tablets are held in theatre where we assess there is a potential threat from chemical agents but are issued only when that chemical agent threat is assessed to be immediate. This has not so far proven necessary and so no British troops on active service have been given NAPS tablets as part of current operations.
As for anyone travelling overseas, military personnel deploying abroad are offered appropriate immunisation against disease. The offer of immunisation, including for anthrax, takes full account of any treatment or medication an individual might be receiving at the same time.
Chinook Mark 2/2a Helicopter
Baroness Park of Monmouth asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 9 October 2000 (WA 5), how many of the RAF Chinook Mark 2/2a fleet have now been fitted with cockpit voice and flight data recorders; and, if any of them have not been so equipped, what is the expected completion date.[HL1859]
Lord Bach: The 33rd and 34th aircraft from the RAF Chinook Mark 2/2a fleet are currently being fitted with cockpit voice and flight data recorders as part of the Health and Usage Monitoring System programme. This leaves six of the fleet still to be so equipped, which because of operational requirements
will not now be completed until the summer of next year, 2002.HMS Victory Fore Topsail
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are their plans to conserve and display the fore topsail of HMS Victory in time for the bicentenary celebrations of the battle of Trafalgar in 2005; and whether they will ensure that the display of the topsail takes place in London so that it is accessible to the greatest number of people before it is returned to its permanent home in Portsmouth.[HL1880]
Lord Bach: The fore topsail of HMS Victory is currently in protective storage in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. A programme of conservation and survey is in hand which will shortly be reporting on its future conservation needs and possible display options. We recognise that the sail should be displayed for the Trafalgar bicentenary if possible, but no decisions can be taken until the recommendations of this report are known and proper account can be taken of the long-term preservation needs of this unique heritage item.
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