FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News
Network on 18 July 2008
The
Government's 2007 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls
is published today. The Report describes UK policy and
international developments in export control regimes, as well as
including information on licensing decisions made during 2006. It
is a demonstration of our commitment to cooperate fully with the
relevant parliamentary committees that scrutinise export control decisions.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Dr Kim Howells, said:
"The Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls was
introduced by the Government to enable Parliament and the public
to hold us to account. This will be the Government's eleventh
report (the first was published in 1997). The annual report and
our regular in-year quarterly reports are recognised worldwide as
models for open and comprehensive presentations of strategic
export control policy. We are proud of our defence export
licensing system, which is one of the most rigorous in the world.
2007 also saw a major review of export control secondary
legislation, and the review findings are being published.
"Separately, we have a productive dialogue with Civil
Society who play a useful role in highlighting the humanitarian
and economic costs of unregulated trade in arms. We also foster a
good relationship with the UK defence industry."
"Since 2005 the UK has promoted the moral, humanitarian and
developmental case for a legally-binding international Arms Trade
Treaty (ATT) to tackle this trade more effectively. Throughout
2007 the UK continued to push for an ATT to become a reality. We
will continue to make the case for it through 2008 and the coming years".
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The report can be seen on the FCO website:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/4103709/2007-ar-uk-strat-exp-conts
Copies have also been placed in the House of Commons Library.
Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL