Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia) Debate

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Department: Department for International Trade

Arms Export Licences (Saudi Arabia)

Lord Walney Excerpts
Thursday 26th September 2019

(5 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. In this particular case, we have already identified a problem in sharing internal information within government which led to these exports licences being issued. Of course we are doing further investigation into that, but that is the specific issue around the breach of the Court of Appeal judgment. That is where I am putting my focus as Secretary of State.

Lord Walney Portrait John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Ind)
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I refer Members to my declaration in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. These mistakes are highly regrettable and point to the need for the Government to put their house in order in terms of the overall suspension as quickly as possible. Is it not lamentable for any Member of this House to imply that the suffering in Yemen is principally caused by any arms relationship or our coalition partners rather than the disgrace of the Houthi Islamist regime?

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I am immensely obliged to the hon. Gentleman.