HC Deb 01 March 1995 vol 255 cc606-7W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1994,Official Report, column 1189, on which occasions IMS Ltd. (a) applied for approval to seek business in new markets, (b) made applications which involved novel features and (c) made applications which were significantly different from previous business; if these guidelines were in written form; and on what date these guidelines were first issued to the management of IMS.

Mr. Freeman

The policy guidelines for International Military Services Ltd. were set out in writing by the Ministry of Defence in March 1979 and made available to the Public Accounts Committee. Consultations under the guidelines remain confidential between the Ministry and the company.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff of International Military Services have been transferred to other companies during the winding down of the company; and whether the normal Government rules of conflict of interest and business advantage have applied to the staff of International Military Services.

Mr. Freeman

The staff of International Military Services Ltd. were not public servants and consequently were not covered by Government regulations on future employment. When the company ceased trading in 1991, most staff were made redundant and made their own arrangements for future employment where appropriate.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when IMS discontinued its practice of reporting quarterly to its board of its use of, and remuneration to, agents and consultants in furtherance of defence-related export sales.

Mr. Freeman

The internal reporting arrangements to the board are a matter for the company.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the legal or international arbitration action between the government of Iran and IMS Ltd. has now been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the settlement reached.

Mr. Freeman

Any discussions or proceedings between International Military Services Ltd. and its former customers remain commercially confidential.