Clause 10 - Interpretation
Export Control Bill
9:30 am
Mr Robert Key (Salisbury, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 50, in page 6, line 30, leave out subsection (5).
When I read the excellent explanatory notes prepared by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, I observed that no explanation was offered for the clause. Apparently, it was a simple omission from the explanatory notes. That always rings alarm bells and one wonders why the Department has decided not to explain the clause. Of course, it is rather obscure. Subsection (5) is all about whether technology is controlled technology.
Incidentally, having referred on Tuesday to the length of a piece of string, I suppose it was inevitable that someone would ask me: ``Why 600 ft?'' It is quite simple, and I had better complete this point or people will never stop asking me. In fact, controlled technology is relevant as 600 ft is 100 fathoms, and 100 fathoms was the length of cable required to anchor a man-o'-war in the average depth of the English channel, which is 30 fathoms. That is the answer to the 600 ft question. However, I digress slightly. That explanation of the question ``how long is a piece of string?'' is almost as obscure as subsection (5). I tabled the amendment, as I could not for the life of me see the point of the subsection. I should be grateful if the Minister would now enlighten us.