Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what estimate he has made of the number of credible reports of international humanitarian law breaches required to be recorded that would result in the suspension of UK licenses for the export of (a) arms and (b) military equipment to Saudi Arabia for potential use in Yemen.

HM Government is able to review licences – and suspend or revoke as necessary – when circumstances require, and this is done in line with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

Specifically, Criterion 2c makes sure that we do not grant licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used in the commission of a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

My Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade set out in her Written Ministerial Statement of 7th July how she has fully considered Criterion 2c in relation to the re-taking of the licensing decisions, in accordance with the Court of Appeal’s judgment.