Extract from Home
Office questions
(Normanton, Pontefract and
Castleford) (Lab): We strongly condemn Iran's attack on Israel this weekend,
and we must do everything we can to prevent further escalation in
the middle east, but there are also domestic security issues in
relation to Iran. The Iran International journalist Pouria
Zeraati was attacked on the streets of London a few weeks ago
following repeated Iran-related security threats on British soil,
including threats to kidnap and kill. Does the Home Secretary
believe it is now time to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps in the UK?
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (): The right hon. Lady will
know that we keep our response to Iran under constant review, and
of course we have done so in the light of the attack in
Wimbledon. We do not speculate about future designations or
sanctions, but she will know that the IRGC is sanctioned in its
entirety and a number of its members are sanctioned as
individuals. As she knows, we will keep this under constant
review.
: The Home Secretary will know
that we have raised this many times. I understand the complexity
of the issue. The proscribing legislation was drawn up more than
20 years ago to address terrorist threats such as al-Qaeda,
rather than state-sponsored threats that have both domestic and
international security objectives. Our bottom line must be
keeping this country safe, which is why Labour has proposed new
security legislation to allow the Government to put appropriately
targeted proscription-style restrictions on the operations of
state-linked organisations such as the IRGC. The Government
previously resisted this, but will he look at it again in the
light of recent events and work with us on any legislation that
is needed to keep this country safe?
: We have the National
Security Act 2023 and a range of tools at our disposal. Defence
against state threats is one of the Department's priorities, and
my right hon. Friend the Security Minister leads on its practical
implementation. I can reassure the shadow Home Secretary and the
House that we constantly review the range of options at our
disposal and deploy those that are most appropriate. Protecting
the UK and the people living and working here against state
threats will always be a priority of this Government.
Statement (Commons and
Lords) on Israel/Iran
Commons statement
Lords statement
Government observation
on a petition
Sale of arms to Israel
The petition of residents of Linlithgow and East
Falkirk,
Declares that the government's sale of arms to Israel is
unacceptable, as there is substantial evidence that these arms
are being used to kill innocent civilians in Gaza; further
declares that this is in direct breach of the UK arms export
policy, which states that the licences cannot be granted if there
is a “clear risk” the arms might be used in a serious violation
of international humanitarian law.
The petitioners therefore request the House of Commons to urge
the Government to suspend all arms transfers to Israel including
weapons, arms, munition and ammunition, parts and components and
other equipment that pose a substantial risk that they could be
used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international
humanitarian law in this conflict.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by
Martyn Day, Official Report, 31 January 2024;
Vol. 744, c. 954.]
[P002909]
Observations from the Minister for Trade Policy
(Greg Hands):
The Government take their export control responsibilities very
seriously and operate one of the most robust and transparent
export control regimes in the world. The Government assess every
application on a case-by-case basis.
