LONDON: Campaign Against Arms Trade has welcomed the new report (published on 24 March) by the committee of MP’s which scrutinise arms exports[1]. The Committees on Strategic Export Controls (‘The Quadripartite Committee’)[2] expresses concern at planned cuts to the Export Control Organisation, the civil service organisation which licenses arms exports[3]. CAAT is instead suggesting cuts in arms export subsidies to maintain staffing at the Export Control Organisation.
Commenting on report, Ann Feltham, a spokesperson for Campaign Against Arms Trade said:
The Quad Comm Report highlights the proposed staff cut at the Export Control Organisation from 166 staff during to 2003-4 to 109 in 2006. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer is looking for savings, he should take immediate steps to cut the annual subsidy from the taxpayer for arms exports of nearly £890 million.[3]
CAAT would also be alarmed if there were any private sector involvement in export licensing system and controls as these are very much the responsibility of a Government responsible to Parliament and the people.
CAAT would certainly support the Committee’s recommendation that the Quad Committee arrangement continue in the new Parliament. The scrutiny of arms exports by Parliamentarians in the last two Parliaments has done much to raise the level of debate on the issue.
ENDS
Editor’s Notes
- Full report title is Strategic Export Controls: HMG’s Annual Report for 2003, Licensing Policy and Parliamentary Scrutiny – first joint report of session 2004-05.
- The Quadripartite Committee consists of four committees that meet together to consider controls on strategic exports, including weapons: the Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry Committees. The Chair for these meetings is Roger Berry, MP, a member of the Trade and industry Committee.
- In a press release from the Quadripartite Committee, entitled Committee warns
absolute assurances
must be given before arms embargo on China is lifted (embargoed until March 24 2005), Roger Berry MP said:The Government has also managed to unite the defence industry and non-governmental organisations in opposition to cuts in the staff and budget of the Export Control Organisation. We are aware that there are discussions at the moment within the Department of Trade and Industry about the organisation’s future structure, including the possible involvement of the private sector. We trust that no changes will be made until we have an opportunity to take evidence on the proposals.
