Source · Select Committees · Committees on Arms Export Controls
Recommendation 15
15
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 52
In response to our report, the Government should set out which countries’ systems, from inside...
Recommendation
In response to our report, the Government should set out which countries’ systems, from inside and outside the EU, that it considered when drafting the new Criteria. The Government should also explain the processes it has put in place to ensure continued cooperation with the EU on strategic export controls. We also recommend that an independent review be commissioned by the Government in two years to assess the effectiveness of the new Criteria. This should include a wide-ranging consultation process. We will also continue to monitor the impact of the new Criteria.
Government Response Summary
The government stated it benchmarked against the US, Germany, France, and Sweden when developing its approach. However, it rejected the recommendation for an independent review as unnecessary and disproportionate, and did not explain processes for continued EU cooperation.
Paragraph Reference:
52
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
In developing its approach to the Criteria, the Government benchmarked its export control policy and operations against those of the United States, Germany, France and Sweden. We found no evidence that these countries' licensing regimes were substantially more effective or efficient than our own. Nevertheless, we determined that we should amend the Criteria to more closely align with our international legal obligations and to better reflect the Government’s strategic export objectives. The Government is satisfied that the Criteria provide a thorough risk assessment framework for assessing export licence applications and does not consider an independent review to be necessary or proportionate. We will ensure that the Criteria continue to properly reflect the Government’s strategic objectives and international obligations.