A number of applications have been received for permission to export to private individuals or business firms in foreign countries, small quantities of small arms and ammunition, obviously intended for non-military purposes. It therefore seems desirable that authority be delegated by Cabinet for the granting or refusing of permission to export such orders, in order to expedite the processing of applications and to avoid clogging Cabinet agenda.

2. Cabinet conclusion of April 7, 1948 directs that sales of arms from current production may be permitted provided that sales are placed on behalf of governments. It seems obvious that this direction was not intended to include orders for limited quantities of small arms and small arms ammunition destined to private individuals and sporting goods firms⁶⁵

3. Order-in-Council P.C. 570 of February 8, 1949 established a list of commodities for which an export permit is required. Group 9 of these commodities is entitled "Arms, Ammunition, Implements or Munitions of War: Military, Naval or Air Stores" and specifies the following, among other items:

I. (a) Rifles and carbines using ammunition in excess of calibre .22, and barrels for those weapons.

(b) Machine guns, automatic or auto-loading rifles, and machine pistols using ammunition in excess of calibre .22, and barrels for those weapons.

(c) Guns, howitzers, and mortars of all calibres, their mountings and barrels.

(d) Ammunition in excess of calibre .22 for the arms enumerated under (a) and (b) above, and cartridge cases or bullets for such ammunition; tilled and unfilled projectiles for the arms enumerated under (c) above.

III. (a) Revolvers and automatic pistols using ammunition in excess of calibre .22.

(b) Ammunition in excess of calibre .22 for the arms enumerated under (a) above, and cartridge cases or bullets for such ammunition.

4. In order to maintain supervision over the export of small arms it is not proposed that any change be made in the Order-in-Council so that applications for export permits would continue to be necessary.

5. Accordingly, I recommend that applications for permission to export small lots of small arms and ammunition need not, in future, be referred to Cabinet for decision if, in the opinion of the Minister of Trade and Commerce and the Secretary of State for External Affairs, the small arms and ammunition are destined to a private person or business firm in a friendly country and are not to be used for improper purposes⁶⁶

L.B. PEARSON

⁶⁵Dans one note de couvenure à Pearson, Heeney remarque que ever avait affecte on exposant lors d'une exposition intemationale de commerce, a l'effet qu'il aurait besoin de (approbation du Cabinet afin d'acheter deux on trois fusils à plomb lots d'une visite au Canada.
In a covering memorandum to Pearson. Heeney noted that this had recently affected an exhibitor at an International Trade Fair, who would require Cabinet approval to purchase two or three shotguns while visiting Canada.

⁶⁶Approuve par le Cabinet le 3 mat 1949.
Approved by Cabinet on May 3, 1949.