New Clause 2 - Licensed production overseas

Part of Export Control Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:00 am on 18 October 2001.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Vera Baird Vera Baird Labour, Redcar 11:00, 18 October 2001

The hon. Member for Twickenham has provoked discussion of this issue. My interest comes about because Redcar, which I represent, contains the port at which the Iraqi supergun was stopped. Many of my constituents are actively engaged in campaigns because of their great concern about the arms trade. Licensed production is the issue that has prompted the most substantial contribution to my postbag since I was elected. I shall, therefore, listen to the Minister's explanation with a genuine desire to report back to the many anxious and interested people in my Constituency.

Clause

A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.

Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.

During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.

When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.

constituency

In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them. MPs have a responsibility to represnt the views of the Constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 Constituencies, and thus 650 MPs. A citizen of a Constituency is known as a Constituent