Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment of the adherence to human rights they will make when considering to which countries the UK fleet of Panther Command and Liaison Vehicles might be sold.

The Government will consider export licence applications for these vehicles, like all other export licence applications, on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU & National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. The Criteria state, among other things, that the Government will not grant a licence where there is a clear risk that the items might be used for internal repression or in the commission of a serious violation of international humanitarian law. An assessment of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country for international humanitarian law is therefore central to the licensing process.