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26. Each application for the issue of a licence received
from the Board of Trade is considered on its merits, and consideration is given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the following circumstances:-
(1) The nature of the consignment.
(2) The consignee. The general practice of His
Majesty's Government is to issue licences for the export
of war material only to governments or to the accredited
agents of governments for delivery to them. In the
case of material for testing purposes, samples for demonstration or exhibition, or accessories, reputable
firms may be accepted as consignees.
(3) Conditions obtaining in the country to which
the arms are to be exported. It may, for example, be
desi rable to refuse or suspend licences in time of civil
disturbance;
(4) The international situation. It has, for
example, been found
desirable to refuse applications
for licences to export arms to countries whose relations
with other countries are strained.
(5) Treaty provisions. The export of arms to
certain countries, for example Abyssinia, is regulated
by treaty. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
satisfies himself that the export of a consignment is in
accordance with the treaty provisions in force before
assent to the issue of a licence is given.
In the case of certain
(6) Special circumstances.
countries evidence that the government of the importing
country has authorised the import is required. For
example, in the case of China the authority of the Chinese
Central Government countersigned by the Chinese Ambassador
in London is required before a licence is issued. Some
other countries have requested that reference should be
made to their representatives in London before licences
are issued.
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