[Sir Nicholas Winterton in the Chair] — Arms Export Controls

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 2:30 pm on 26 March 2009.

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Photo of Lembit Öpik Lembit Öpik Liberal Democrat, Montgomeryshire 2:30, 26 March 2009

I agree with the hon. Gentleman's request for the inclusion of re-export clauses. It is beyond me why the Government will not simply accept that as a matter of course. Perhaps the more fundamental issue is enforcement. One can easily see if an aircraft has been moved, but with smaller arms and military hardware and software of a less observable nature, it is probable that unscrupulous states will make promises and completely ignore them. Unless we have an enormous infrastructure, we will not be able to track those with nefarious intentions.