§ 2.41 p.m.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether British tank engines have been illegally exported to Iran; whether Iran paid several times the market price to secure the illicit deal; and who shared in the profits.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Viscount Trenchard)My Lords, investigations into whether Scorpion engines have been illegally exported from this country have been in progress for some time. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage of the inquiries.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, would the noble Viscount agree that the British Leyland subsidiary, Alvis, appears to have been involved in this deal? Will he further agree that it appears to have gone ahead despite the Government's embargo on such exports? Will he make it clear to Alvis that they do not escape responsibility by dealing through an intermediary?
§ Viscount TrenchardMy Lords, as I have said, at this stage of the inquiry I do not want to make many further comments. Alvis were the manufacturers and they have not broken the law. So far as the export is concerned, at this stage of the investigation all I am prepared to say is that it appears that other firms may have exported these engines illegally.
§ Lord BrockwayMy Lords, does the Minister not agree that this is an extraordinarily serious statement, that arms are being exported illegally? Will he say what control there is at the ports for the export of these arms? Surely licences have to be given, and is there machinery by which it can be assured that no arms without licences are exported?
§ Viscount TrenchardMy Lords, again I am satisfied that the customs and excise controls on a basis of export licences do constitute an efficient system. At this stage of the investigation I would rather not comment any further.
Lord Bruce of DoningtonMy Lords, can the noble Viscount say how long he expects the investigations to take? Will he give the House an assurance that when the investigations are complete the House will be informed of the result?
§ Viscount TrenchardMy Lords, anticipating that question, I have in fact tried to ascertain how long it is likely to take. I cannot give a definitive answer, but the investigations will be completed as soon as possible and they will be followed by the appropriate steps of a responsible Government.
§ Lord Jenkins of PutneyMy Lords, could I press the noble Viscount a little further? Will he take up the point suggested by my noble friend on the Front Bench; that is, that at the end of the proceedings a Statement will be made to the House?
§ Viscount TrenchardMy Lords, I very deliberately did not say exactly that. The situation is now sub judice and the next steps will depend upon the correct procedures.