Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Duncan Hames Excerpts
Monday 11th June 2012

(11 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Last but not least, Mr Duncan Hames.

Duncan Hames Portrait Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)
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Next month, the UK will join other Governments at the United Nations to negotiate and agree an international arms trade treaty. We are often told that Britain’s arms controls are among the strictest that one will find anywhere. Does the Minister recognise the benefit to Britain and the world of reaching a strong agreement with as many countries as possible, even if certain countries opt not to become signatories at this time?

Nick Harvey Portrait Nick Harvey
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The UK is strongly committed to an arms trade treaty and is pushing for it to be as broad and effective as possible. We are encouraged by the fact that certain countries that we did not think would be supportive are showing more encouraging signs as we get near to the negotiations.