Source · Select Committees · Committees on Arms Export Controls
Recommendation 38
38
Accepted
Paragraph: 115
We welcome the Government’s action in October 2019 to not grant further export licences to...
Conclusion
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 respect of exports for which licences had already been granted.
Government Response Summary
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.
Paragraph Reference:
115
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government notes the Committees’ concerns regarding action taken in respect of exports to Turkey for which licences had already been granted prior to the October 2019 announcement. Following the announcement, the Government immediately suspended all extant export licences to Turkey for items that might be used in military operations in Syria. The Government then conducted a thorough review of all extant licences to Turkey to determine whether they should be revoked. This review took into account the specific circumstances of each licence, including the nature of the items being exported, the end-user, and the intended use of the items. As a result of this review, a number of licences were revoked. In other cases, the Government sought and received assurances from the Turkish Government that the items would not be used in military operations in Syria. In these cases, the licences were allowed to continue.