Andrew Smith – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2015-10-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to ensure that arms exports from the UN to Yemen are not being used in breach of export control policy and provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty.

Anna Soubry

The Government takes its export responsibilities very seriously and aims to operate one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis against all of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, which includes; ensuing exports are consistent with the UK’s obligations under the United Nations arms trade treaty.

We undertake appropriate checks using both open and other sources when considering licence applications. To ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach, this will involve Desk and Post in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and relevant experts from other Departments.