John Baron MP receives Foreign Secretary’s promise for Review on arms export policy

MP: Review will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny

This afternoon in Parliament, during the Foreign Affairs Select Committee’s questioning of the Foreign Secretary, John Baron MP raised the issue of Britain’s policy on arms exports to autocratic regimes. John suggested that it is difficult to preach about democracy if one is not on the moral high ground, and extracted a promise from The Rt. Hon. William Hague that the Foreign Office will undertake a Review of its policy which will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.

John said:

“It is wrong to preach democracy whilst having sold arms – particularly crowd control weapons – to autocratic regimes who suppress popular dissent. One can only lecture about political reform from the moral high ground.”

“I am pleased that the Foreign Secretary has agreed to my request for a full Review of FCO policy in this area which will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. We cannot be hypocritical as it undermines the UK’s international standing.”