Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his policy is on companies moving their registration overseas when they have been found in breach of export licence conditions and the Government has imposed a requirement that they return the exported goods to the UK with which they have not complied.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The registration of a business is generally a matter for its owners. However, if they are UK legal or natural persons active in the Maritime Anti-Piracy sector, they are still subject to UK Export Licensing legislation. The only requirement under existing UK licensing provisions is for Private Maritime Security Companies to make an application to use alternative approved storage for controlled goods. The enforcement of export licensing is a matter for His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how the Government assesses the (a) effectiveness and (b) impact of sanctions policies.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

UK sanctions are designed and targeted to deter and disrupt malign behaviour, and to demonstrate our defence of fundamental principles, including democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The FCDO conducts reviews of the effectiveness and impact of our sanctions regimes. Any assessment will depend on the intended purposes of each individual regime - which are set out in the regulations for that regime. For example on Russia we consider wider macro-economic impacts, reduction in UK exports and imports and wider changes to trading patterns, changes to designated persons' behaviour, volume of frozen assets, and alignment with international partners. I launched a cross-Government review of sanctions enforcement with the support of Ministers from His Majesty's Treasury, the Department of Business and Trade, the Department for Transport and the Home Office. Through this review the Government will consider whether we have the right powers, approach, capacity and resourcing on policy, implementation and enforcement of sanctions.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review the export control licensing process for vessel based armouries.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

As with all export licences, the Department for Business and Trade keeps the licensing of the Maritime Anti-Piracy Sector under continual review.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure effective cross-government working on (a) sanctions and (b) export controls (i) policy, (ii) implementation and (iii) enforcement between (A) his Department's Sanctions Directorate, (B) the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation, (C) the Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation, (D) the Export Controls Joint Unit and (E) HMRC.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

In October, I convened the first Small Ministerial Group on sanctions, which launched a cross-Government review to examine whether we have the right powers, approach, capacity and resourcing on policy, implementation and enforcement, with an urgent focus on strengthening the latter. This grouping brings together key sanctions Departments: the FCDO; His Majesty's Treasury (with responsibility for both the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and HMRC); the Department for Business and Trade (with responsibility for the Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation and shared responsibility for the Export Controls Joint Unit with the Ministry of Defence and FCDO); the Department for Transport; and the Home Office.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on how many occasions and for what reasons MNG Maritime was granted extensions to the deadline to return to the UK the weapons stored in the Vessel Based Armouries it operated following his Department’s revocation of six export licences allowing the company to operate three vessel-based armouries storing weapons for private maritime security companies in July 2023.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In the event that a licence for a Vessel Based Armoury (VBA) is revoked, it is the responsibility of the Private Maritime Security Companies which make use of the affected VBA to arrange transfers of controlled goods to alternative, and appropriately licensed, armouries.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what (a) country and sector policy specialist, (b) legal, (c) administrative, (d) compliance, (e) enforcement, (f) industry engagement, (g) budgetary and (h) other resources he has allocated to the Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) has recruited people with a wide range of professional experience from across government and the private sector to fulfil OTSI’s responsibilities of policy, licensing and enforcement of certain trade sanctions, and industry engagement, along with financial management, project delivery and business support specialists. OTSI is also supported by legal, analytical and digital experts.

OTSI is funded from the £50m Economic Deterrence Initiative (EDI) for 2023/24 and 2024/25. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is expected to publish more information on the EDI in the near future.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what (a) training and (b) support his Department plans to provide to businesses in respect of the new Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) will support businesses to meet their obligations under the UK’s trade sanctions regime through issuing guidance and engaging with a range of sectors and businesses.

OTSI has already undertaken a major programme of industry engagement and outreach and is committed to ongoing business engagement to support compliance. OTSI has already published a suite of online guidance for businesses and launched new online tools which make it easier to report a breach and apply for a licence.

OTSI is committed to supporting businesses to comply with trade sanctions by improving existing guidance as well as creating and promulgating new guidance, where necessary.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Office for Trade Sanctions will publish an annual report.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation intends to publish an annual review covering an overview of its activities across the year, following the model set by similar units such as the Office for Financial Sanctions located in HM Treasury and the Export Control Joint Unit in the Department for Business and Trade.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy that vessel based armouries export licence applications should include an assessment of available alternative licensed storage facilities in the event that a licence is (a) suspended and (b) revoked.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Open General Trade Control Licence, which UK Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) require for Maritime Anti-Piracy (MAP) operations, once granted, is open-ended for as long as the PMSC remains active in the MAP sector and is abiding by the terms of the licence. Licences can include provision for the storage of arms in approved land-based armouries as an alternative storage facility.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the cost is of legal fees related to Post Office IT Horizon redress paid to external law firms by (a) scheme and (b) firm.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Department for Business and Trade delivers the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme and the recently-launched Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS).

Since the launch of the GLO scheme in March 2023, a total of c.£2.9 million has been spent on legal advice to the Department on settling the redress claims of postmasters in the GLO scheme. A further c.£12.5 million has been spent on support for victims’ legal fees.

Since the launch of the HCRS scheme in July 2024, a total of c.£100k has been spent on legal services to the Department in the setting up of the HCRS scheme. Approximately c.£360k has been spent on victims’ legal fees.

A detailed breakdown of legal fees paid by law firm and scheme is provided below:

Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS)

Group Litigation Order Scheme (GLO)

The figures above exclude recoverable VAT. Figures from April 2023 are subject to audit and may change.

On the Overturned Convictions (OC) & Historical Shortfalls (HSS) schemes, this is a matter for the Post Office. I have asked them to write to my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Member for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North, and a copy of their correspondence will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department’s International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process Cell made its most recent assessment of Israel’s compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We continue to keep Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Gaza under review through a regular assessments process. Our judgment on Israel's IHL compliance remains as set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement to Parliament on 2 September.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department plans to take to meet the NATO defence industrial capacity expansion pledge; and how this will be incorporated into developing the new Defence Industrial Strategy.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. Our NATO-first approach will be a vital part of our new Defence Industrial Strategy, with NATO’s industrial and operational requirements and integration with our allies and partners at the heart of our defence plans. The Department is taking steps to meet the NATO defence industrial capacity expansion pledge, including through our NATO Multinational Procurement Initiatives through which we are encouraging more joint procurement amongst NATO allies.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act on UK businesses.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We have engaged with UK businesses across a range of sectors to understand their concerns about the potential impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act on UK industry. We have also engaged with the US on UK industry views across multiple channels on this issue, including in 2022 in response to the US Treasury consultation on the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, and remain committed to defending the interests of UK businesses.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the Government’s sanctions policy priorities are; and whether his Department plans to publish an updated strategy.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK uses sanctions to deter and disrupt malign behaviour and demonstrate our defence of fundamental principles, including democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

I recently convened Ministers from across government to deepen our cooperation on sanctions, and review enforcement measures. I also discussed sanctions enforcement with leaders of the Overseas Territories during the Joint Ministerial Council. We regularly coordinate with allies including in the United States, Canada, EU and others to maximise our impact.

This month we announced our largest sanctions package against Russia since May 2023, and working with our allies we will continue to use sanctions to further restrict the revenues and military goods Russia relies on. We have also recently used sanctions to respond to Iran's malign activity, as part of UK efforts to support a more stable West Bank, and targeted members of a Russian cybercrime gang.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on how many occasions the Export Controls Joint Unit has initiated a Change in Circumstances Review assessment since January 2020; and what the destination country was in each case.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has in place an established process for responding at pace to changing conditions in a country where the UK has previously granted export licences, and where those licences remain extant.

The FCDO advises DBT on the situation in country and the risks this poses with respect to the UK’s export control responsibilities. The MOD advises DBT on the risks of diversion of exported goods and national security risks arising from hostile state activity. The Department of Business and Trade, with DBT Secretary of State as the decision-making authority, decides whether to amend, suspend or revoke any relevant licences.

Given its diplomatic sensitivity, the Government is unable to disclose the specific number and destination countries of Change in Circumstances Reviews.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on commissioning a new Defence Industrial Strategy.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned.

The development of the Defence Industrial Strategy will explore how to establish a better, more innovative and more resilient defence sector, enabling the UK to innovate, deter its adversaries and seize opportunities presented by the technologies of the future.

The Defence Industrial Strategy will be developed at pace in parallel with, but separate from, the Strategic Defence Review and will be published in 2025.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to publish the UK Strategic Export Controls Annual Report 2023.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK Strategic Export Controls Annual Report 2023 is due to be published by the end of this year. It will be laid before Parliament and made available on Gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/united-kingdom-strategic-export-controls-annual-report.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2024 to Question 8320 on Gaza: Israel, what role his Department's International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process Cell plays in the overall assessment of Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law; and if he will list the dates of each of the Cell's assessments since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The FCDO's International Humanitarian Law Cell undertakes regular assessments of Israel's commitment and capability to comply with International Humanitarian Law in relation to the conflict in Gaza, in order to meet our legal obligations under the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC). Since 4 July 2024 assessments were submitted on 24 July 2024 and 1 October 2024. Assessments continue to take place.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his export controls policy priorities are.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s export controls regime protects global security by restricting who has access to sensitive technologies and capabilities, ensuring UK exports do not contribute to WMD proliferation, a destabilising accumulation of conventional weapons, or are used to commit or facilitate internal repression or a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Our priorities for export controls policy include:

• Working with international partners, and like-minded states, to ensure our export controls properly address the threats we face, keep pace with new technologies, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Agility in responding to volatile global situations through keeping all extant licences under continuous and careful review.
• Supporting key international alliances in areas such as AUKUS and ITAR collaboration.
• Effective delivery of the licensing service to exporters via the continued roll-out of LITE and ensuring we are always identifying ways we can develop and evolve the service we provide.

50th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards; Alison

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards; Alison

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards; Alison

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Liam Byrne (Chair); Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Sarah Edwards; Alison

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