Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of political bodies seeking to override findings of independent judicial panels associated with the International Criminal Court on the upholding of international law.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK fully supports the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC's internal process to address the allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor is still underway. That process follows Terms of Reference agreed by the ICC Bureau. The UK is not currently a member of that body. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to members of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court on reports that the findings of an independent judicial panel into allegations concerning the Prosecutor are being disregarded.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK fully supports the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC's internal process to address the allegations of misconduct against the Prosecutor is still underway. That process follows Terms of Reference agreed by the ICC Bureau. The UK is not currently a member of that body. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) the International Criminal Court; (b) the International Court of Justice; and (c) the UN can discharge their duties and responsibilities without undue interference from other countries.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 11 March in response to Question 118062.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what contingency plans are in place to ensure UK nationals working in international judicial institutions remain able to perform their professional duties if they are subject to intimidation or sanctions.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 11 March in response to Question 118062.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with international partners on the potential impact of US sanctions on officials of the International Criminal Court.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 11 March in response to Question 118062.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help support the independence of the International Criminal Court in light of reports of political pressure on its officials.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 11 March in response to Question 118062.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to review the criterion of specially designed or modified for military use in the schedule 2 of the Export Control Order 2008.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government keeps UK export controls under constant review and export control legislation, including Schedule 2 of the Export Control Order 2008, is updated on a regular basis to remain compliant with our national and international obligations and commitments.
Schedule 2 of the Export Control Order principally derives from the UK's international commitments under the Wassenaar Arrangement on conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, and thereby reflects the discussions and agreements reached with relevant partners. Any change would need therefore to be agreed internationally.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has published guidance to companies on determining whether goods fall within military export control classifications.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Yes. Even a cursory internet search will show that we publish extensive guidance on the UK’s export control regime on GOV.UK. This includes information on the regulatory framework for strategic export controls, our lists of controlled items and the circumstances where exporters might need an export licence. There is also a ‘Goods Checker’ tool which exporters can use to establish if their items are controlled.
If exporters are still in any doubt about the classification of their goods they can use the Control List Classification Service where specialists in the Export Control Joint Unit will provide a formal advisory classification against the UK control lists. Finally, an exporter should submit an application using our LITE system if they suspect an export licence may be required. We will assess the control status of the goods, and any relevant sanctions measures in place.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had recent discussions with UAV Engines Ltd on arms export licence requirements.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
All companies seeking to export military or dual-use goods are subject to the export control requirements set out in the Export Control Order 2008 and accompanying guidance. All licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) regularly correspond with exporters on their export licensing requirements. It is not the regular practice of the Department to publicise details of discussions with specific exporters in view of potential commercial sensitivities.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to improve transparency in arms licensing.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK's Export Control regime is one of the most transparent in the world. Since this Government came into office, we have ensured publications of export licensing information are as timely as possible in order to aid public and Parliamentary scrutiny.
The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) publishes a significant amount of information. This includes quarterly and annual statistics on export and trade control licensing decisions and supporting tools such as the publicly searchable database of licensing data. We have also periodically published additional information releases relating to specific exports and destinations, to support public and parliamentary scrutiny.