HC Deb 08 May 1998 vol 311 cc539-40W
Mr. Howard

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will set up an independent inquiry into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41186]

(2) when he was first informed of the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41189]

(3) who is conducting the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41184]

(4) if the reports of the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone will be published in full; [41185]

(5) when officials in his Department first became aware that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone; [41188]

(6) what assessment he has made of compliance with UN resolutions by British firms supplying arms to Sierra Leone; [41187]

(7) what are the terms of reference of the inquiries that have been established into the allegations that a British firm or firms were involved in the supply of arms to Sierra Leone;[41183]

Mr. Robin Cook

I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the Private Notice Question he tabled on 6 May 1998,Official Report, columns 721–731.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy towards arms sales to Sierrs Leone. [41113]

Mr. Robin Cook

Our policy is clear. We were instrumental in drawing up UN Security Council Resolution 1132, which prohibits the sale of arms and related material of all types to Sierra Leone.

Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date Ministers in his Department were first informed that his Department had asked Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate arms sales to Sierra Leone; [41339]

(2) on what date his Department asked Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to investigate arms sales to Sierra Leone. [41340]

Mr. Robin Cook

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Private Notice Question tabled by the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 6 May 1998,Official Report, columns 721–31.