House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers
Q
Asked by The Lord Bishop of Leeds
Asked on: 12 September 2017
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Saudi Arabia: Arms Trade
HL1542
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guarantees, if any, they sought from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdel al-Jubeir, when he visited London on 4 September, that British arms sales to Saudi Arabia will only be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.
A
Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 27 September 2017
During his visit to London on 4-5 September, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. Both raised the importance of Coalition compliance with their international humanitarian law obligations.
The UK Government takes its arms export licensing responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. Our defence exports to Saudi Arabia are kept under careful and continual review to ensure they meet the rigorous standards of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application.
We welcomed the High Court’s ruling in July this year that UK Government decisions on arms export licensing to Saudi Arabia are lawful. The judgment stated the Government was rationally entitled to conclude that Saudi Arabia has been, and remains, genuinely committed to compliance with international humanitarian law. We note the application to appeal and will continue to defend the decisions challenged.
Q
Asked by Baroness Tonge
Asked on: 11 September 2017
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Yemen: Military Intervention
HL1501
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking following reports that British armaments have been used by Saudi Arabia in the Yemen to target innocent civilians.
A
Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 25 September 2017
The UK Government takes its arms export licensing responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. Our defence exports to Saudi Arabia are kept under careful and continual review to ensure they meet the rigorous standards of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. All export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application.
Q
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Asked on: 12 September 2017
Ministry of Defence
AWE Aldermaston
HL1561
To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston has been placed on special measures for the fourth year running; whether the AWE has produced a plan for dealing with high levels of radioactive waste; if not, why not; and whether they have made an assessment of the extent to which any failure to do so puts staff and residents in the area surrounding that establishment at risk.
A
Answered by: Earl Howe
Answered on: 25 September 2017
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has stated that safety at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sites is acceptable. The ONR’s decision to place the AWE Aldermaston site under enhanced regulatory attention was due to issues relating principally to ageing facilities, which do not pose any immediate safety concerns.
AWE has a plan in place for the long-term safe management of radioactive waste and this has resulted in the successful closure of the ONR’s Improvement Notice regarding this matter.
The Ministry of Defence works closely with AWE, monitoring all aspects of its performance, including regulatory compliance.
Q
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
Asked on: 11 September 2017
Ministry of Defence
Frigates
HL1504
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statements in the National