Arms Trade (Inquiry and Suspension) Bill

This bill establishes a formal inquiry mechanism into UK arms exports and creates powers to suspend arms sales to specific countries. It would require the government to investigate whether exported weapons are being used in violation of international humanitarian law or human rights conventions. If the inquiry finds evidence of misuse, the government would gain statutory authority to temporarily halt arms sales to the affected country without requiring new parliamentary legislation each time. The bill aims to provide a faster, more systematic process for reviewing arms sales rather than relying on adhoc political decisions.