MINUTE ON GIFTING OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO NEPAL

Early day motion 1235, tabled 19 May 2004 by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 27 members.

That this House objects to the departmental minute laid before the House by the Ministry of Defence dated 6th May concerning the gifting of non-lethal military equipment to the government of Nepal; believes that all military exports whether sold or gifted should be subject to export control procedures and should be scrutinised against the consolidated criteria on arms exports; notes that the Department for International Development have suspended projects in Western Nepal due to threats and human rights violations on the part of both the government and the rebels, and believes that there is a risk that arms exports to Nepal at the current time will be used for internal repression and thus would contravene the consolidated criteria; and remains unpersuaded that the gifting of UK military equipment to the government of Nepal at the present time will assist in the peaceful resolution of the conflict with the rebels in that country.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 14, Labour 8, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 2.