UK arms exports in 2019
Committees on Arms Export Controls
Closed
Inquiry
The Committees on Arms Export Controls are examining the Government’s 2019 Strategic Export Controls Annual Report (published in November 2020), with a focus on enforcement and compliance matters. This inquiry will build on issues identified during the scoping evidence sessions that CAEC has undertaken since it was re-established. Read the …
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34
Recommendations
12
Conclusions
1
Report
6
Oral sessions
7
Letters
6
Events
Activity timeline 21 events
7 Sep
2023
2023
24 May
2023
2023
4 Apr
2023
2023
9 Jan
2023
2023
28 Oct
2022
2022
Report published
20 Oct
2022
2022
20 Oct
2022
2022
20 Oct
2022
2022
20 Oct
2022
2022
10 Feb
2022
2022
Oral evidence
10 Feb
2022
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
16 Nov
2021
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
10 Feb 2022
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Ranil Jayawardena MP · Department for International Trade
Rt Hon James Cleverly MP · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
16 Nov 2021
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Joanne Cheetham · HM Revenue and Customs
Richard Las · HM Revenue and Customs
29 Jun 2021
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David Lorello · Covington and Burling LLP
Dr Clara Portela · University of Valencia
Fenella McGerty · International Institute for Strategic Studies
18 May 2021
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Andrew Kinniburgh · Make UK Defence
Nick Radiven · Prospect
16 Mar 2021
View on parliament.uk
Dr Andrea Edoardo Varisco · Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Dr Sibylle Bauer · Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Kolja Brockmann · Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Joint Report - Developments in UK Strategic Export Contro… | HC 282 | 28 Oct 2022 | 46 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
15 results
2
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We acknowledge that the Annual Report contains a substantial amount of information that is helpful...
We acknowledge that the Annual Report contains a substantial amount of information that is helpful for our inquiries and that strategic export controls cover a wide range of areas so it is not always clear which specific topics will arise …
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Government Response
The government notes the committee's expectations, highlighting that the Annual Report is substantive and that ECJU has already provided extensive written information throughout the inquiry to supplement it, suggesting current practices are sufficient.
8
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We welcome the decision to launch the ECJU Transformation Programme and the opportunity it provides...
We welcome the decision to launch the ECJU Transformation Programme and the opportunity it provides to improve and reform the work of the ECJU and its relationships with stakeholders. However, given the duty of DIT to inform us of relevant …
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Government Response
The ECJU commits to providing the Committee with regular updates on its transformation and continuous improvement activities, establishing a new dedicated engagement team, and delivering a new stakeholder engagement strategy in 2023.
11
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We are concerned by evidence regarding insufficient resources within the ECJU, particularly technical and specialist...
We are concerned by evidence regarding insufficient resources within the ECJU, particularly technical and specialist roles and Compliance Officers. The ECJU Transformation Programme should include a review of ECJU resources. Future editions of the Annual Report should include data on …
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Government Response
The government acknowledged recruitment challenges but stated that ECJU has made positive progress in filling vacancies, recruiting specialist staff, and expanding its presence, implying existing measures address resource concerns without committing to a specific review or new reporting.
21
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
Providing exporters with training will always improve compliance results and make the compliance visit process...
Providing exporters with training will always improve compliance results and make the compliance visit process run more smoothly, particularly when companies do not export regularly. We recommend that the Government actively encourage more peer-to-peer, trade bodies or ECJU Awareness training …
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Government Response
The government commits to developing a new engagement strategy to actively seek more peer-to-peer, trade body, and ECJU Awareness training opportunities, including restarting face-to-face events, providing training courses, and improving digital resources.
23
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We welcome HMRC’s increase in resources for Customs A/B.
We welcome HMRC’s increase in resources for Customs A/B. In response to our report, HMRC should set out how it will measure the impact and effectiveness of these increased resources.
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, outlining that HMRC will use existing management information tools to measure the impact of increased Customs A/B resources, including case numbers, resolutions, and border interventions, with this data to be provided in annual submissions.
24
Conclusion
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
Given the apparent low level of strategic exports and sanctions prosecutions, especially in recent years,...
Given the apparent low level of strategic exports and sanctions prosecutions, especially in recent years, we are disappointed that when we asked if the Government had any plans to review the effectiveness of the relevant legislation, they simply stated that …
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Government Response
The government states that export control legislation is already kept under regular review to ensure effectiveness and that ECJU will continue to work closely with HMRC on enforcement, implying no new action is needed despite the committee's concerns.
25
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We can find no explanation for the lack of published data on convictions for export...
We can find no explanation for the lack of published data on convictions for export controls violations, especially as this information has been provided to us in written evidence when requested. We recommend that the data provided to us on …
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Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation and committed to HMRC providing convictions data for export control violations for inclusion in future Annual Reports.
31
Conclusion
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We note the high-level of concern that exists regarding exports to Saudi Arabia and her...
We note the high-level of concern that exists regarding exports to Saudi Arabia and her coalition partners of items that may be used in the conflict in Yemen. This conflict is tragic and we call on all sides to give …
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Government Response
The government has learned lessons from the Court of Appeal judgment and has taken steps to improve the mechanisms for sharing information and intelligence between departments that make up the ECJU; it assesses all export licences for Saudi Arabia and her coalition partners on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated Criteria.
33
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We are concerned that previous exports to Saudi Arabia may demonstrate an inconsistency in the...
We are concerned that previous exports to Saudi Arabia may demonstrate an inconsistency in the application of the previous Consolidated Criteria. In response to our report the Government should set out its reasons for deeming that such exports are not …
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Government Response
The government states that all export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated Criteria, and that the new Strategic Export Licensing Criteria provide a robust framework for assessing export licence applications to Saudi Arabia.
36
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
While the priority should always be the safety and evacuation of people, we seek assurances...
While the priority should always be the safety and evacuation of people, we seek assurances that the Government plans for the risk of military items falling into the hands of adversaries when undertaking operations, especially when planning the withdrawal from …
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Government Response
The government recognizes the importance of planning for the risk of military items falling into the hands of adversaries and states it has robust mechanisms in place, including risk assessments, contingency planning, and close coordination with allies, and that lessons were learned from Afghanistan.
37
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We welcome the Government’s swift action on exports to Hong Kong following the Chinese Government’s...
We welcome the Government’s swift action on exports to Hong Kong following the Chinese Government’s decision to impose a National Security Law there. This illustrates how an export control system should work; by being adaptive to changing circumstances and the …
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Government Response
The government welcomes the Committees’ support for its swift action on exports to Hong Kong and will use this as an example of best practice and examine the lessons that can be learned for situations where the response has not worked as effectively.
38
Conclusion
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We welcome the Government’s action in October 2019 to not grant further export licences to...
We welcome the Government’s action in October 2019 to not grant further export licences to Turkey for items that might be used in military operations in Syria. However, we are concerned that no information was given on action taken in …
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Government Response
Following the 2019 announcement regarding exports to Turkey, the government suspended all extant export licenses for items that might be used in military operations in Syria and conducted a thorough review, revoking some licenses and seeking assurances for others.
39
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
In response to our Report, the Government should set out the steps it took in...
In response to our Report, the Government should set out the steps it took in respect of licences already granted prior to the October 2019 announcement. In the interest of transparency, the Government should also provide details of the additional …
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Government Response
Following the 2019 announcement regarding exports to Turkey, the government suspended all extant export licenses for items that might be used in military operations in Syria and conducted a thorough review, revoking some licenses and seeking assurances for others.
40
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We welcome the sanctions put in place following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and...
We welcome the sanctions put in place following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, it is unacceptable that the EU sanctions legislation in 2014 included a prior contracts clause permitting licences where …
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Government Response
The government will ensure that future sanctions legislation does not include a prior contracts clause, to prevent the export of goods that could be used to undermine security or violate international law.
41
Recommendation
Accepted
First Joint Report - Developments…
We are very concerned about continuing reports of UK components being found in Russian systems.
We are very concerned about continuing reports of UK components being found in Russian systems. In response to our report, the Government should set out the actions it is taking, in conjunction with allies. to close down Russia’s ability to …
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Government Response
The Government states it is already taking robust action, in conjunction with allies, to close down Russia’s ability to acquire replacement foreign-made components, including strengthening export controls and working with industry.
Government Response AI assessment · 46 of 34 classified
Accepted
15
Acknowledged
14
Deferred
5
Rejected
3
Total
34 recs + 12 conclusions
Correspondence 7 letters
7 Sep 2023
Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Trade, updating on the work of ECJU, dated 29 August 2023
Parliament page
24 May 2023
Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the Government Response to CAEC’s Report: 'Developments in UK Strategic Export Controls', dated 12/05/2023 and 30/03/2023
Parliament page
4 Apr 2023
Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the Government Response to CAEC’s October 2022 Report
Parliament page
20 Oct 2022
Annex A: Correspondence with the FCDO and DIT, dated 31 May 2022
Parliament page
20 Oct 2022
Annex B: Correspondence with the FCDO and DIT, dated 31 May 2022
Parliament page
20 Oct 2022
Correspondence from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development and the Department for International Trade, dated 31 May 2022
Parliament page
20 Oct 2022
Annex C: Correspondence with the FCDO and DIT, dated 31 May 2022
Parliament page