Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Thursday, 13 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 January 2005. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 January 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what stance the Government took on the decision of the EU to lift the arms embargo on China. - Inc ref to 3 June 1998, 313 c240-1.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what stance the Government took on the decision of the EU to lift the arms embargo on China. [209605] Mr. Rammell: The Government supported the decision of the European Council in December 2003 to review the EU Arms Embargo on China. This review is ongoing. The European Council in December 2004 discussed the embargo. The UK and partners invited the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU to take forward work on the review. The Government could envisage embargo lift subject to satisfaction on the issues laid out in the Conclusions of that Council. Until the review process is complete, the Government continues to implement the Arms Embargo as set out by the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the late Derek Fatchett, in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 3 June 1998, Official Report, columns 240- 41.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 209605; 429 c1018W;429 c1017W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Arms trade Defence equipment China Exports EU action Weapons Sanctions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk