UK ARMS TO SUDAN

Early day motion 1705, tabled 11 October 2004 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 63 members.

That this House notes with concern that according to Comtrade, a commodity trade database compiled by the United Nations the UK sent more than 180 tons of arms to Sudan in the last three years; further notes that the goods included parts and accessories for small arms, and arms ammunition of the type commonly used by the Janjaweed militia; and further notes that whilst the Department of Trade and Industry has apparently indicated that it has found no record of this transaction, it is likely that these weapons were brokered by a UK arms dealer or Uk-based-company; and calls for a full examination and report to the House on this matter and for the brokering loophole in the control of arms trading to be closed.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 17, Plaid Cymru 4, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1.