Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what reason the 9 March 2015 Open General Trade Control Licence to Saudi Arabia was denied.
There were no Open General Trade Control Licences (OGTCL) dated 9 March 2015 that were denied.
[However, we believe you intended to ask about an Open Individual Trade Control Licence (OITCL) that was denied on the 9 March 2015 to various destinations, including Saudi Arabia.]
The licence was denied under Criterion 5 of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria – “the national security of the UK and territories whose external relations are the UK’s responsibility, as well as that of friendly and allied countries”.