§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has purchased, or will purchase, computers or 102W software from companies which seek to impose extra territorial constraints on their products; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe Ministry of Defence has on occasions purchased computers or software from companies which sought to impose extra—territorial constraints on their products. However, the Ministry's policy has been, and continues to be, that it is inappropriate for a Government Department to accept such limitations on its freedom of action and that wherever practicable no such constraints should be accepted.