Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the impact of the proposed withdrawal of EU Everything But Arms trade privileges from Burma on the leadership of the Burmese military, including Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing; and what sanctions have been imposed that are specifically targeted at the leadership of the Burmese military.

Since 2012, when the EU granted Burma duty-free, quota-free market access on "Everything But Arms", EU imports from Burma have risen almost ten-fold, to €1,558 million in 2017. Most of the EU's imports are of textiles and apparel. This has substantially expanded employment opportunities for women in Burma. The direct impact of a decision to suspend preferences and re-introduce tariffs would not be on the military, but on the textile businesses and their employees, including many vulnerable women employed in Burma's garment sector. We are working with Member States, and are in discussions with the Commission, to ensure that the likely impacts are thoroughly considered before any decision is made. The UK was instrumental in renewing and expanding the EU arms embargo on Burma earlier this year, and securing targeted EU sanctions on seven senior members of the Burmese military.