To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the re-assessment of exports of riot control equipment to the US conducted by her Department in June 2020, which minister was (a) presented with the conclusions of that re-assessment and (b) responsible for taking the decision to resume the licensing of exports suspended while that re-assessment took place.
Answered on
14 September 2020
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office conducted the reassessment and agreed the conclusions of that reassessment with the Foreign Secretary. The conclusions of the reassessment were then presented to me and I took the decision, on behalf of my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade, not to suspend, amend or revoke existing licences and to continue to process pending applications for crowd control equipment to the US.
The Rt Hon. Lady will be aware from previous answers that it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the US remains a beacon for freedom, opportunity and democracy. The US maintains the rule of law and has robust institutions. Further, there is democratic oversight, accountability and extensive public scrutiny, including by an active civil society and free press.