§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British-Jordanian defence exports agreements were terminated; on what dates each of the agreements were suspended; and what were the reasons for each suspension and their termination.
§ Mr. AitkenI presume that the hon. Member is referring to the memorandum of understanding between the Governments of the United Kingdom and Jordan, signed on 19 September 1985 and supplemented on 9 June 1987. While the line of export credit for Jordan was effectively terminated in 1991, neither of these memoranda has been terminated or suspended.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who signed the defence sales agreements with Jordan on 19 September 1985 and 9 December 1987 on behalf of the British Government; and in what form Parliament was notified of the concluding of each agreement.
§ Mr. AitkenHer Majesty's Ambassador to Jordan was the signatory for Her Majesty's Government. Under successive Governments it has not been general practice to inform Parliament of the signature of such memoranda. However, the memorandum of understanding signed on 19 September 1985 was referred to in written answer by the then Minister of State for Defence on 17 February 1986 at column 58.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the British-Jordanian defence sales agreements contained a cap on total expenditure; and on what dates that cap was reached.
§ Mr. AitkenThe memorandum of understanding concerning the supply of defence equipment to Jordan, signed on 19 September 1985, covered contracts to a total estimated value of £270 million. The supplement signed on 9 June 1987 covered additional contracts to a total estimated value of £40 million. Expenditure did not in fact reach these figures.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what income was generated by International Military Services in respect of fees on brokerage for administering the British-Jordanian defence sales agreements of 19 September 1985 and 9 June 1987.
§ Mr. AitkenInternational Military Services is a private limited company. The information requested relates to the trading operations of the company and is commercially confidential. IMS publishes its accounts for public scrutiny in accordance with company law.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the information the Scott inquiry was given as to the quantities of items listed under the 60 projects relating to Jordan in his answer of 3 November,Official Report, column 295–6.
§ Mr. AitkenI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 13 December 1993 at column 528.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Government to Government defence exports agreements were made with Jordan since 1979 other than those listed by the Minister on 3 November,Official Report, column 296; and what British Government agency was responsible for administering them.
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§ Mr. AitkenA memorandum of understanding with Jordan, covering the supply of Khalid main battle tanks, was signed on 28 November 1979. The contract which gave effect to the MOU was held by International Military Services. A further memorandum, covering a modification programme to the tank, was signed on 2 January 1989. This has been administered by my Department. We have no record of any other similar arrangements with Jordan being signed since 1979.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether information on the quantities and values of the items in the Jordan arms sales package have been supplied to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry.
§ Mr. AitkenDetails of information provided to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry are a matter between the inquiry and my Department.