Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has published guidance to companies on determining whether goods fall within military export control classifications.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Yes. Even a cursory internet search will show that we publish extensive guidance on the UK’s export control regime on GOV.UK. This includes information on the regulatory framework for strategic export controls, our lists of controlled items and the circumstances where exporters might need an export licence. There is also a ‘Goods Checker’ tool which exporters can use to establish if their items are controlled.
If exporters are still in any doubt about the classification of their goods they can use the Control List Classification Service where specialists in the Export Control Joint Unit will provide a formal advisory classification against the UK control lists. Finally, an exporter should submit an application using our LITE system if they suspect an export licence may be required. We will assess the control status of the goods, and any relevant sanctions measures in place.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to review the criterion of specially designed or modified for military use in the schedule 2 of the Export Control Order 2008.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government keeps UK export controls under constant review and export control legislation, including Schedule 2 of the Export Control Order 2008, is updated on a regular basis to remain compliant with our national and international obligations and commitments.
Schedule 2 of the Export Control Order principally derives from the UK's international commitments under the Wassenaar Arrangement on conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, and thereby reflects the discussions and agreements reached with relevant partners. Any change would need therefore to be agreed internationally.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had recent discussions with UAV Engines Ltd on arms export licence requirements.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
All companies seeking to export military or dual-use goods are subject to the export control requirements set out in the Export Control Order 2008 and accompanying guidance. All licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) regularly correspond with exporters on their export licensing requirements. It is not the regular practice of the Department to publicise details of discussions with specific exporters in view of potential commercial sensitivities.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in arms licensing.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK's Export Control regime is one of the most transparent in the world. Since this Government came into office, we have ensured publications of export licensing information are as timely as possible in order to aid public and Parliamentary scrutiny.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) publishes a significant amount of information. This includes quarterly and annual statistics on export and trade control licensing decisions and supporting tools such as the publicly searchable database of licensing data. We have also periodically published additional information releases relating to specific exports and destinations, to support public and parliamentary scrutiny.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on trade with Israel.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We respect the independence of the International Court of Justice and continue to consider the Court’s Advisory Opinion carefully, with the seriousness and rigour it deserves.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many items of protective body armour his Department has supplied for use by journalists operating in Gaza since October 2023.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade does not supply body armour, and the export of body armour for personal protection when accompanying its user (for their own use) is not subject to export control.
Nonetheless the Department has approved 12 licences for the export of protective body armour for use by news organisations in Israel or Palestine since October 2023. Of these, 9 relate to Media Open Individual Licences which allow export to a wide range of countries. Similar equipment has also been licensed for export for use by NGOs in the region.
The UK is appalled by the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions of media workers in the State of Palestine. We have called on all parties to fully uphold International Humanitarian Law and ensure protection of civilians including journalists.