UK arms exports escape scrutiny under Tory government

Last Updated: January 4, 2016By

Yemeni medics prepare a prosthetic limb before handing it out to a disabled man of conflict victims (L) at a prosthetic center in Sana’a, Yemen. Anti-arms campaigners say British weapons could be used for repression in Yemen [Image: Yahya Arhab/EPA].

Arms sales from the UK have not been subject to independent scrutiny for more than nine months after the mysterious disappearance of the Commons watchdog on the export of weapons and military equipment.

MPs have begun to raise concerns about the fate of the committee on arms export controls, which was not re-established at the beginning of this parliament last May.

The watchdog ceased its work after its chair Sir John Stanley retired in March following 15 years at the helm. The committee had been instrumental in embarrassing the coalition government over its decision to allow the sale of chemicals that could have been used for nerve agent weapons in Syria.

MPs and campaigners are anxious that there is scrutiny over the government’s decision to continue allowing arms exports to Saudi Arabia when there are human rights concerns about the weapons’ possible use for repression in Yemen.

Source: UK arms exports escape scrutiny under Tory government | World news | The Guardian

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No Comments

  1. Terry Davies January 4, 2016 at 9:34 am - Reply

    is there an easily accessible register of those who have shares in these companies?
    Do they have public money or pensions money invested.
    there is an irony that a decent pension depends upon the deaths of those oppressed in other countries. shows how sick the globe has become because of greed – driven capitalism.

  2. Neilth January 4, 2016 at 9:52 am - Reply

    Why bother with a scrutiny committee when the government will just ignore its findings and recommendations anyway.

    CaMoron and co see scrutiny committees etc as an inconvenience restraining them from pursuing their political aims of dismantling the welfare state in its entirety and allowing capitalism a completely free hand in making profit.

    That’s why they want rid of the court of human rights, EU controls that benefit employees, the human rights legislation, health and safety regulations etc

  3. Christine Bergin January 4, 2016 at 1:58 pm - Reply

    Our current government seems to be in thrall to the idea of killing people. Cant see the end of it yet. Maybe when all those who disagree with them are classified as ‘terrorists’…..

  4. mohandeer January 5, 2016 at 11:06 pm - Reply

    War – it’s good for business and arms exports(not just the prosthetic ones either.)

  5. amnesiaclinic January 6, 2016 at 7:25 pm - Reply

    Well, how very convenient.
    They hoped no one would notice.
    Hope Campaign Against the Arms Trade does sue them. And everyone harmed by ‘our’ weapons.
    Now that might just make a difference!

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