§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what investigations Her Majesty's Government have carried out into the affairs of Armscor; [65125]
(2) what dealings representatives of Her Majesty's Government have had with Armscor. [65126]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 18 January 1999]: Since the April 1994 democratic elections in South Africa, the Government, primarily through the Ministry of Defence, have had some contact with Armscor.
The DTI has not carried out any investigations into the affairs of Armscor. However, a Customs and Excise investigation into alleged breaches of UK export controls led to proceedings being initiated in 1984 against four South Africans connected with Armscor. The four were bailed, but failed to return for trial. The charges were withdrawn in December 1994.