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Who does what in Government |
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Four Government departments have responsibility for arms export issues... Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory ReformSince April 2008, the UK government's promotion of military exports is co-ordinated by the UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation which has 200 civil and military staff. BERR, together with the Foreign and Commonwealth, is the joint parent department of UKTI. The export licensing system is administered by BERR, although licence applications are circulated to the other departments for comment. The Export Credits Guarantee Department, which offers interest support and financial insurance, is responsible to the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is Rt. Hon John Hutton MP. Ministry of DefenceThe MoD offers expert advice and assistance on military and technical matters to the UKTI Defence & Security Organisation. MODSAP, the MoD's Saudi Armed Forces Project, has 200 staff supporting the UK's arms sales to Saudi Arabia. It also advices the Export Control Organisation on the possible diversion of the exports to third countries, and on the potential risk of the export to the UK or its armed forces. Secretary of State for Defence is Rt. Hon Des Browne MP. Foreign and Commonwealth OfficeThe FCO has responsibility for considering the foreign policy impact of the proposed exports, including the human rights implications. It also has general responsibilities to promote UK exports. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is Rt. Hon David Miliband MP.
The responsibilities of the other members of the Ministerial team include
the following of relevance to arms exports: Department for International DevelopmentThe Department is doing interesting work on small arms, including supporting the West African moratorium on their import and export. It is also looking at military expenditures, and at security sector reform. DfID offers advice on the potential impact of proposed exports on the development of poor countries. Secretary of State for International Development is Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP. |
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House of Commons CommitteesEach Government department has a corresponding Committee of backbench MPs monitoring its work. The Committees covering the four departments which have arms export concerns sometimes meet together as the Committees on Arms Export Controls. Its chair is Roger Berry MP. |
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Campaign Against Arms Trade, 11 Goodwin St, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HQ
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