PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
OUTSOURCING OF EXPORT CONTROL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR (15 June 2005)

That this House notes with deep concern that the Government is considering placing responsibility for export control and non-proliferation in the hands of the private sector through the privatisation or partial outsourcing of the Export Control Organisation (ECO) and that the motivation for this step appears to be headcount reductions of ECO staff as opposed to improving export control mechanisms; further notes that outsourcing some or all of the ECO's functions would have significant repercussions for the accountability of the export licensing process, hinder confidential information-sharing between states on arms transfers and give rise to potential conflicts of interest through the private sector partner; further notes that this step will undermine the progressive leadership in arms export control the Government has forged internationally and risks providing an inappropriate model to those countries which have less developed arms control mechanisms and are trying to improve their export control regimes; calls on the Government fully to consult on any proposal regarding the future of the ECO and to ensure that time is allocated for parliamentary scrutiny; and urges the Government to retain decision-making on export control and non-proliferation within public hands.

Sponsored by:
Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat)