Following the Government statement on arms export licensing, Harriett Baldwin questions the Minister for Trade Policy on the backlog of export licences.

Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)

I thank my right hon. Friend for explaining with great care the strict criteria applied in all export licence cases. Can he update the House on the backlog of export licences? How quickly and carefully can they be reviewed?

Greg Hands 

Yes, there is a backlog, and it will take a few months to clear it. There are a few hundred applications —something of that magnitude. With the policy we launched last week, however, we will now begin to clear that backlog.

Hansard