§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will review his approval of the contract between GEC-Marconi Elliott and the Selenia Company of Italy in connection with multi-role combat aircraft, in the light of information sent to him by the hon. Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch on systematic corruption in several contracts for the Italian armed forces, of which an example is a payment made by Selenia in connection with an order for radar equipment.
§ Mr. MasonI refer the hon. Member to my answer of 5th March—[Vol. 906, c.760–1]—regarding the procedures which apply to the selection of contractors and sub-contractors for MRCA equipments. On the question of the general standing of a contractor, each Government is responsible to the other partners for ensuring the suitability of their own companies for Government work.