HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1556-7W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the intelligence reports of July and September 1988 referred to in his recent statement on BMARC were distributed to members of the restricted enforcement unit. [29725]

Mr. Ian Taylor

It is long-standing Government policy not to provide detailed information on the activities of the security and intelligence agencies. The effectiveness of the restrictive enforcement unit depends on preserving the confidentiality of its work.

The Trade and Industry Select Committee has announced an inquiry into the role of DTI in granting licences to BMARC for the export of naval guns to Singapore, and this is the proper forum for further research.

Mr. Byers

To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to reply to the question from the hon. Member for Wallsend concerning directors of BMARC due for answer on 19 June. [36105]

Mr. Nelson

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 14 July,Official Report, column 841.