HC Deb 04 June 1981 vol 5 c385W
Mr. Denzil Davies

asked the Lord Privy Seal, in the light of his reply of 20 May, Official Report, column 277, if he will institute an inquiry to determine how the Salvadorean army had access to ammunition made in Great Britain which was used in recent actions in El Salvador; and if he will give the last date on which licences were approved for the export of ammunition to El Salvador.

Mr. Ridley

We have seen reports that an ICI 7mm Mauser ammunition label was found in El Salvador. ICI has not made ammunition under the ICI brand name since 1962, when its then subsidiary Imperial Metal Industries (IMI) was formed and took over ammunition manufacture. IMI last made ammunition of this type in April 1966.

To the best of our knowledge the Salvadorean army is no longer equipped with weapons of this calibre, though it is possible that some may remain in service with territorial units, or have been captured by guerrilas.

Approval was last given for the export of ammunition to El Salvador in July 1978 for 22 rim-fire small bore target ammunition for the El Salvador olympic committee.