CO129-552-6 Traffic of arms to China 2-1-1935 - 27-12-1935 — Page 121

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MELCRANDUM OF EVIDENCE.

120

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is concerned

in two ways with the issue of licences for the export of war

material.

(1) He receives a notification from the Board of Trade

that a licence has been applied for, and advises that the

licence should or should not be issued.

(2) In exceptional circumstances he may inform the Board

of Trade (or the Service Departments with a view to preventing

applications being made) that the export of arms to a

particular country or region is undesirable.

Each application for the issue of a licence received from

the Board of Trade is considered on its merits, and considera-

tion 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

desirable to refuse or suspend licences in times of civil

disturbance;

4. The international situation. It may, for example,

be 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

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