§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has received to requests made to the Czechoslovak Government to ensure that future production of Semtex is given a readily readable signature to assist in the fight against air terrorism.
§ Mr. WaldegraveAs part of a wider initiative for an international convention on the subject the Czechoslovak Government have expressed willingness to mark Semtex. We are currently discussing with them how to take this forward. Both we and the Czechoslovak Government were represented at an expert meeting under ICAO auspices from 6 to 10 March. The Czechoslovak Government have informed us that they have never knowingly supplied explosives to terrorists and ceased all exports of Semtex in 1982.