HC Deb 14 May 1990 vol 172 cc274-5W
Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when his Department first knew that Dr. Gerald Bull had a connection with SRC;

(2) to which Iraqi Government agency the order seized by Customs and Excise was being sent;

(3) what action was taken in respect of the Iraqi armaments order after it was known that the Space Research Corporation was involved in the order;

(4) what is now known of the destination of the Iraqi pipe order now in Iraq;

(5) what information he has on the intended use of the armament being produced for the Iraqis;

(6) what action was taken to investigate the Iraqi export order after the death was reported of Gerald Bull of the Space Research Corporation;

(7) what information he has as to (a) the military purpose of the armaments order of Iraq and (b) the possible uses of the completed order.

Mr. Ridley

In the light of the criminal charges laid against individuals and in the light of the continuing investigations by Customs and Excise, it would be inappropriate to give any further information on these matters.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when his Department was first made aware of a meeting in Brussels between Sheffield Forgemasters and the Space Research Corporation in June 1988, and of additional meetings that took place in Brussels in July 1988 between those parties;

(2) if he has any information on the fire-testing in Iraq of any equipment provided for Iraq by Sheffield Forgemasters and Walter Somers.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 26 April 1990]: In the light of the criminal charges laid against individuals and in the light of the continuing investigations by Customs and Excise, it would be inappropriate to give any further information on these matters.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when he first received information about the activities of SRC Composites;

(2) when he became aware of the project of SRC Composites to develop in Northern Ireland;

(3) when he was first aware of SRC Composites' involvement with Iraq;

(4) what investigations took place into Space Research Corporation after its involvement in the Iraqi export order became known.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 30 April 1990]: In the light of the criminal charges laid against individuals and in the light of the continuing investigations by Customs and Excise, it would be inappropriate to give any further information on these matters.