§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when a judgment was made by the Arms Working Party on the suitability of the sale of the BAE Systems air-traffic control system to Tanzania under the MOD form 680 procedure; [28299]
(2) when the application for a Tanzanian air traffic control system was considered under the MOD Form 680 procedure; and what the decision was. [29440]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 23 January 2002]: Siemens Plessey Electronic Systems (now part of Alenia Marconi Systems) submitted an F680 application in July 1997 for the supply of a radar system to Tanzania. In August 1997 the Government advised the company of preliminary clearance to supply an air-traffic control system to Tanzania subject to certain conditions. Within these conditions, it is routinely made clear to companies that such advice does not constitute an export licence, nor does it guarantee that a licence will be approved for the future export of goods or technology.
§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which Government Departments and agencies are represented on the Arms Working Party under the MOD Form 680 procedure; [28297]
332W(2) which (a) sections and (b) Departments are represented at the Arms Working Party under the Form 680 procedure; and who has lead responsibility for assessing projects in terms of sustainable development. [29439]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 23 January 2002]: The term "Arms Working Party" is colloquially used to describe the F680 process under which informal advice is provided to companies on the prospects for approval at the marketing stage. Advisers consulted include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Non-Proliferation Department, Geographical Departments, Human Rights Policy Department), the Ministry of Defence (Defence Intelligence, Equipment Security Branch, Headquarters Security Branch) and other Departments and agencies as necessary.
§ Tony WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he was first informed of the views of the World bank about the(a) suitability and (b) cost of the Tanzanian air traffic control system. [29443]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 23 January 2002]: I am withholding this information under Exemption 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of Part II of the Government's Code of Practice on access to Government Information.