Context
Charlie Maynard raised concerns about the export of UK-produced F-35 components to Israel, citing strategic export licensing criteria.
Question
Our strategic export licensing criteria state specifically that licences should not be granted where there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Given that the courts have sent this question back to Parliament, does the Minister accept that Israel is committing breaches of international humanitarian law; does he accept that the export of F-35 components is aiding in the commission of these wrongful acts; and if he maintains that we are not in breach of our own arms export laws, will he explain on the Floor of this House the basis for how he thinks we are compliant with our own laws?
Answer from The Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security (Mr Douglas Alexander)
The F-35 programme is the largest international collaborative defence programme in the world. The hon. Gentleman refers to the recent High Court judgment, and as the High Court itself noted, the UK cannot make changes to the F-35 programme unilaterally—that requires agreement across all the partner nations and the availability of a workable programme-level change to isolate end users across thousands of different components.
Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address whether Israel is committing breaches of international humanitarian law or how exports comply with UK laws without addressing the legal limitations.
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