Source · Select Committees · Committees on Arms Export Controls
First Joint Report - Developments in UK Strategic Export Controls
Committees on Arms Export Controls
HC 282
Published 28 October 2022
Recommendations
5
Accepted in Part
We share our predecessor committees’ concerns over the continued delays in delivering the new LITE...
Recommendation
We share our predecessor committees’ concerns over the continued delays in delivering the new LITE IT system. The rollout of the new LITE IT system must be progressed urgently. In response to our report the Government should set out a …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that the LITE IT service is being progressed urgently and is a live, functioning service being delivered in phases. It committed to providing six-monthly updates on progress but did not provide a specific timeline for each transition stage or the full operational date.
9
Accepted in Part
Para 39
It is also disappointing that the Government has not published terms of reference outlining the...
Recommendation
It is also disappointing that the Government has not published terms of reference outlining the aims and remit of the ECJU Transformation Programme. The Government should publish the terms of reference for the ECJU Transformation Programme, and provide us with …
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Government Response Summary
The government declined to publish formal terms of reference, stating the Transformation Programme is internal and its aims were already communicated. However, it committed to providing the committee with regular updates on the transformation and its continuous improvement activities.
10
Accepted in Part
Para 40
We welcome the consultation that has taken place with the unions.
Recommendation
We welcome the consultation that has taken place with the unions. This must continue and the Government must ensure that they draw on the expertise of ECJU staff at all levels. We also welcome the customer survey of exporters. However, …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated the Transformation Programme is internal but committed to creating a new dedicated team and stakeholder engagement strategy in 2023 to establish formal mechanisms for consistent industry engagement. It did not commit to a broader public consultation.
15
Accepted in Part
Para 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 …
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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.
17
Accepted in Part
Para 60
We welcome the increase in trained Compliance Inspectors mentioned in the 2021 Annual Report.
Recommendation
We welcome the increase in trained Compliance Inspectors mentioned in the 2021 Annual Report. In response to our report the Government should give further details of this increase in Inspectors, including the numbers of Inspectors employed, details of the work …
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Government Response Summary
The government provides details of five current Compliance Inspectors and the recruitment of three more, stating their current focus on priority intelligence-led visits, but does not explain how they are measuring the impact of this change.
22
Accepted in Part
Para 65
We are also troubled by the concerns expressed regarding the level of technical knowledge within...
Recommendation
We are also troubled by the concerns expressed regarding the level of technical knowledge within ECJU and the reported reduction in technical experts accompanying compliance officers on compliance visits. We recommend that the ECJU ensure that technical experts accompany compliance …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that ECJU plans to reintroduce technical experts attending in-person compliance audits where beneficial, but does not explicitly commit to a greater number or a review of overall expertise levels within the Transformation Programme.
Conclusions (1)
19
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
We are concerned by the increase in recent years of the numbers of companies found to be non-compliant after a revisit and the lack of information given in the Annual Reports on specific companies and countries for findings of non-compliance. This raises questions over the effectiveness of compliance visits. (Paragraph …
Government Response Summary
The government defends its robust compliance approach and states the effectiveness of visits is demonstrated by reduced non-compliance on revisits. It also commits to reviewing the methodology of reporting in future Annual Reports to better demonstrate visit effectiveness, partially addressing the committee's concern about information.