Register of Arms Brokers Bill [HL]: Briefing for Lords Stages

The Register of Arms Brokers Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Jolly (Liberal Democrat). The Bill received its first reading in the House of Lords on 23 May 2016, and is scheduled to have its second reading on 10 June 2016. The Bill seeks to make provision for the establishment, maintenance and publication of a register of arms brokers. If enacted, the Bill would require arms brokers to register every three years, and would ensure that the applicant’s criminal history and tax status were considered before being allowed to register. The provisions would apply to the whole of the United Kingdom.

The Bill defines an arms broker as any person involved in financing, transporting or facilitating the manufacture, export or import of military equipment or military technology. The Bill also stipulates that it would be an offence to undertake any such activity without being registered. A person guilty of this offence would be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, a fine, or both.