§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) What information they have received from the Angolan authorities about the diplomatic status of Mr Pierre Falcone; (b) whether they had received any request for information about his business activities by the French investigating magistrate; and (c) what inquiries they have made independently of any co-operation with the French judicial authorities about alleged illegal arms trading activities by companies registered in the United Kingdom or its dependencies by Mr Falcone or Mr Arkady Gaidamak, or in which either of them had a beneficial interest. [HL5013]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Government have received no information from the Angolan Government about the diplomatic status of Mr Pierre Falcone, nor have we received any request for information about his business activities by the French investigating magistrate. We take seriously any134WA allegations of illegal arms trading by companies registered in the UK. Investigations of such activities are a matter for HM Customs and Excise. Should evidence arise that offences were committed by any UK company, HM Customs and Excise will look into the matter.