HC Deb 27 January 1987 vol 109 cc173-4
6. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current work being undertaken for his Department by Electronic Data Systems.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

A subsidiary of Electronic Data Systems used to have a small contract to provide computer bureau services to the Royal Air Force. However, this work has now been transferred to another company with which we have no reason to believe EDS has any interest.

Mr. Dalyell

Do Defence Ministers accept the documentary evidence that I have sent to the Home Secretary and the Minister of State, Treasury, to the effect that EDS attempted to abuse the immigration rules of this country? In that light, may we have an assurance that the Ministry of Defence will not consider EDS for major data contracts, which could ultimately have a value greater than that of AWACS?

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to decide whether an offence has been committed and we shall await advice from the Home Office. In the meantime, EDS will remain on our list of potential contractors.

Mr. Meadowcroft

Further to the question of the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), what are the implications for the use of high technology in British defences of the determination of the United States Government to enforce their laws extra-territorially, well beyond the agreement of COCON, which was supinely accepted by his colleagues in the Department of Trade and Industry?

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I am confused as to what that has to do with EDS. We are having discussion with the United States Government on extra-territoriality and hope to reach agreement soon.