§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to investigate the business connections between the British firms Walter Somers (Halesowen) and Forgemasters (Sheffield) and the Swiss firm Von Roll Steel Products, regarding the provision of recoil systems and breechblocks to Iraq for its supergun project.
§ Mrs. Gillian Shephard[holding answer 16 January 1992]: The hon. Member should be aware that the business activities of Walter Somers (Halesowen) and Forgemasters Engineering Ltd. (Sheffield) in relation to the Iraqi supergun project were the subject of an investigation by Customs and Excise in 1990 which was brought to a halt when criminal charges were withdrawn in the magistrates court on 15 November 1990. Customs and Excise will take account of any new information not already covered in their investigation in deciding what, if any, further investigation would be appropriate.