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Arms Trade: Exports

Asked by Liam ByrneLabourMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 3 July 2025UIN 62938

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to (a) page 7 and (b) recommendation 12 on page 63 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what (i) mechanisms and (ii) training he will put in place so that the new Defence Exports Office (A) has access to appropriate legal advice and (B) is fully aware of its legal obligations.

Answered by Maria Eagle

This Government endorses the Strategic Defence Review’s (SDR) vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review’s recommendations will form part of the main business of the Department and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort. Any changes required to staff training and processes will be considered as part of the implementation work


All exports promoted by the Ministry of Defence or His Majesty's Government (HMG) will continue to be done in accordance with HMG's legal obligations, where there are already robust checks and balances in place across HMG decision making processes.

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