HC Deb 30 April 1990 vol 171 cc387-8W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether officials of his Department made any statement or communication to the press prior to 18 April indicating that his Department did not think it likely that the pipes impounded on Teesside by Her Majesty's Customs were for military purposes;

(2) what response his Department gave to the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Sir H. Miller) when he approached them about the Iraqi contract.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 23 April 1990]: In the light of charges laid against an individual on 25 April, and in the light of the continuing investigation by Customs and Excise, it would be inappropriate to give any further information.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the specifications of the Iraqi export order were first available to his Department.

Mr. Ridley

In the light of charges laid against an individual on 25 April, and in the light of the continuing investigation by Customs and Excise, it would be inappropriate to give any further information.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the day on which his Department was first made aware of the military implications of the Iraqi contract with Sheffield Forgemasters and Walter Somers;

(2) what was the day on which it was made known to his Department that Dr. Gerald Bull had conceived plans involving piping for a gun or launcher;

(3) what letters there are on the Iraqi contract now known to be for a gun between his Department and Sheffield Forgemasters; and if he will list the dates of them.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 26 April 1990] In the light of charges laid against an individual on 25 April, and in the light of the continuing investigation by Customs and Excise, it would be inappropriate to give any further information.