LONDON, August 19, 2009 (WAFA)- Closer scrutiny of UK arms exports is being called for by four Parliamentary Select Committees following confirmation by the UK Government that Israeli weapons systems, used in the Gaza conflict, almost certainly contained British-built components.

The Committees on Arms Export Controls (CAEC) publish their annual report today which includes scrutiny of export licences granted in 2008 and examines the policy and enforcement of UK arms export controls.

The Committees were concerned that UK military equipment and weapons, exported to Sri Lanka during the ceasefire between the Sri Lanka government and the LTTE, may have been used against the civilian population when hostilities escalated in 2006.

The Committees welcome the Government's review of extant export licences to Israel but questioned what implications the revocation of licences would have on the UK's defence relationships with the USA and Israel, and on the operational capability of the UK's armed forces.

The Committees on Arms Export Controls consists of four Committees which meet together to consider the control of strategic exports, including weapons. The Committees involved are: Business and Enterprise, Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Development. The Chairman for these meetings is Roger Berry MP, who is a member of the Business and Enterprise Committee.

The Committees' main job is to review Government policy on licensing arms exports and licensing decisions. Each year the Government produces an annual report on Strategic Export Controls which the Committees scrutinise.