Source · Select Committees · Committees on Arms Export Controls
Recommendation 32
32
Rejected
By the end of 2022, the Government should commission an independent examination of whether the...
Recommendation
By the end of 2022, the Government should commission an independent examination of whether the Mills Review outcomes have been successfully implemented and have led to the intended outcomes. It is vital lessons are learned so as to not see a repeat of this in respect of other countries of concern. In response to our report the Government must include a full explanation of its reasons for its decision to resume such exports and an explanation for its decision to cease referring all such exports to Ministers for decision. (Paragraph 103) 48 Developments in UK Strategic Export Controls
Government Response Summary
The government does not believe that a further independent examination of the Mills Review outcomes is necessary or proportionate, citing the full review of extant licences to Saudi Arabia overseen by senior officials and legal counsel following the Court of Appeal judgment.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government recognises the importance of learning lessons from past events. We have given careful consideration to the Committees’ recommendation for an independent examination of whether the Mills Review outcomes have been successfully implemented and have led to the intended outcomes. Following the Court of Appeal judgment, the then Secretary of State for International Trade commissioned a full review of all extant licences to Saudi Arabia. This review was overseen by senior officials and legal counsel to ensure that all licences were compliant with the judgment. The Government is confident that the review was thorough and that all licences were correctly assessed against the Consolidated Criteria. In light of these considerations, the Government does not believe that a further independent examination of the Mills Review outcomes is necessary or proportionate. The Government will continue to monitor the situation in Yemen closely and will take all necessary steps to ensure that its export control decisions are fully compliant with its legal obligations. The Government’s decisions on export licences to Saudi Arabia were made in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria, taking into account the prevailing circumstances at the time of application. The Government has provided a full explanation of its reasons for its decisions in previous correspondence with the Committees.