HL Deb 18 July 2000 vol 615 cc73-4WA
Lord Burnham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will reconcile the figures for arms exports to Sierra Leone given in the Written Answer by Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale to Lord Roberts of Conwy (WA 91) with those given in the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean to Lord Hoyle (WA 99), both on 29 June. [HL.3256]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The Written Answer given by Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale gave details of the equipment provided to the Sierra Leone army; and said the provision of further equipment was being considered. The Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean gave details of this further equipment.

The coincidence of the two Written Answers was because of internal delays in processing the Answer given by Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale.

Lord Burnham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they reconcile the Written Answer by Baroness Ramsey of Cartvale (WA 91) on the shipment of arms supplies to Sierra Leone stating that "the details were passed to the United Nations Sanctions Committee" with the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean (WA 99) on the same subject which stated that "the shipment will be notified to the United Nations Sanctions Committee", both on 29 June. [HL3272]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1171 (1998), we notified the United Nations Sanctions Committee at the time of the export of the equipment listed in the Written Answer by Baroness Ramsey of Cartvale.

The export from the UK of the equipment described in the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean has now been notified to the United Nations Sanctions Committee, following formal agreement for the shipment from the ECOWAS Secretariat.