QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER ON TUESDAY 16 DECEMBER 1997
Jeanette Fitzsimmons to the Prime Minister
What actions have been taken by the Government Communications Security Bureau
during the last two years to try to control the export, import or availability
of communications encryption material, including, what are the names of the
companies or individuals involved and the nature of the action in relation to
them, what meetings have been attended by GCSB staff on this subject, what
publications have been produced and what studies have been undertaken?
Answer:
Hon Jenny Shipley (Prime Minister) to reply:
Responsibility for controls relating to the export of communications encryption
materials rests with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of its
general responsibility for the administration of New Zealands export controls
under the Wassenaar Arrangement. The Government Communications Security
Bureau's role in this regard is limited to the provision of technical advice to
those officials in the Ministry who have responsibilities in this area and with
whom GCSB staff have regular meetings [1]. The GCSB has
issued no publications and undertaken no studies on this subject. There are no
controls on the import of availability of such materials within New Zealand.
[1] MFAT always do exactly what the GCSB advise them to, however it really is
only advice and the GCSB aren't running New Zealands export policy,
honest! Note how this policy allows them to avoid giving a straight answer to
the question which was asked.