First Joint Report - Developments in UK Strategic Export Controls

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The government accepted the recommendation and committed to HMRC providing convictions data for export control violations for inclusion in future Annual Reports.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.