Arms exports now all right for Stephen Green
A change of mind?
The government’s new trade minister has confirmed that he is happy to promote arms exports – only hours after a national newspaper claimed that they were troubling his conscience.
Stephen Green joined the House of Lords shortly before becoming a minister in the coalition government last week. But the Daily Telegraph reported that he had ‘issues’ with arms exports and was hoping that responsibility for them would be given to a different minister.
The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) urged him to ‘put his principles into action’. But after a few hours of rumour and counter-rumour, the Department for Business issued a statement declaring that ‘Lord Green will be playing a full role in promoting the [arms] industry’.
Stephen Green recently stood down as chairman of HSBC. He is also a Church of England priest. Since the banking crisis, he has sought to promote the idea of ‘ethical capitalism’.
He attracted CAAT’s approval last year, when he pointed out that industries tackling climate change are already generating more revenue than the arms industry. CAAT’s Kaye Stearman said: ‘These new industries provide an ethical alternative to the arms trade’.
But his new job includes oversight of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), a unit that promotes British exports. While arms account for less than two per cent of UK exports, UKTI devotes more staff to its arms wing than to all other sectors combined.
Comments
UKTI seems to be about building ties with other countries through trade in arms. I think the bonds made during such transactions are unhealthy for the nation and those involved. On the other hand when we trade fairly sustainable energy technology we not only made more money but create a partnership that benefits not just those involved but humanity as well.
By jmcatling on 20th January 2011 - 17:58
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