Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what criteria must be met for an arms export licence to be revoked.

Article 32(1) of the Export Control Order 2008 (as amended) empowers my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to vary or revoke export licences at any time. The 2008 Order does not specify the grounds on which a licence may be revoked. In practice the reasons include:

(i) As a result of the imposition of EU or UN sanctions;

(ii) Where there has been a change in Government policy in respect of the export of certain goods, or the export of specified goods to a certain destination, and the proposed export is no longer consistent with the revised policy;

(iii) Where there has been a change in circumstances in the destination country or region such that the proposed export is no longer consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria or with other relevant, announced, policies;

(iv) Where new information has come to light about a particular export which indicates that the proposed export is no longer consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria or with other relevant, announced, policies;

(v) Where an exporter has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the licence, or as a result of enforcement action by HMRC/UK Border Agency; and

(vi) For administrative reasons, such as a company ceasing to trade and therefore no longer being able to use the licence, or where the exporter requests an amendment to a licence and revoking and re-issuing it is simpler than making an amendment.