§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the most recent meeting of the Ministerial European Trade Council, the activities of the companies Water Engineering Trading (WET) of Hamburg, Preussag of Hanover in Germany, Technology Development Group Limited (TDG) of London and Schmiedemeccanica SA of Lugano, Switzerland, in regard to trade arrangements with Iraq, were discussed.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe matters referred to by the hon. Member have not been discussed at any recent meetings between European Trade Ministers.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department was invited to48W participate in the Panorama programme, "Saddam's Secret Arms Ring", broadcast on 3 September; and if he will obtain a copy of the transcript and videocassette for his departmental library.
§ Mr. SainsburyMy Department was invited to participate in the "Panorama" programme broadcast on 3 September and supplied written answers to written questions. I do not propose to obtain a copy of the transcript and videocassette for the departmental library.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to raise at the next Council meeting of European Community Trade Ministers the export activities of the German companies H and H Metalform Gmbh and Export Union Gmbh in regard to sales of sensitive equipment and militarily useful material to Iraq since 1988.
§ Mr. SainsburyNo.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all restrictions introduced since 2 August on trade with Iraq agreed at international forums of which the United Kingdom is a party; and if he will set out the measures adopted to enforce the restrictions.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe restrictions introduced since 2 August on trade with Iraq agreed at international forums are as follows:
6 August
United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 661 was adopted imposing sanctions against Iraq and Kuwait.
8 August
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2340/90 was made preventing trade by the Community as regards Iraq and Kuwait. Equivalent provision was made as regards products covered by the ECSC Treaty.
25 August
UNSCR 665 was adopted authorising the multinational forces navies to halt shippping in order to inspect and verify cargoes.
25 September
UNSCR 670 was adopted introducing measures to tighten the air embargo, and detain or deny entry to Iraqi registered ships breaching sanctions.
The measures adopted by the United Kingdom are as follows:
2 August
The Control of Gold, Securities, Payments and Credits (Kuwait) Directions 1990 were made
4 August
The Control of Gold, Securities, Payments and Credits (Republic of Iraq) Directions 1990 were made.
The United Kingdom amended the Open General Import Licence to impose restrictions on the import of crude oil and petroleum products originating in Iraq or Kuwait.
8 August
The Iraq Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1990 was made. It prohibits activities in connection with the exportation of goods from Iraq or Kuwait and the supply of goods to Iraq or Kuwait or Iraqi or Kuwaiti controlled companies except under the authority of a licence.
The Export of Goods (Control) (Iraq and Kuwait Sanctions) Order 1990 was made. It prohibits exportation from the United Kingdom of all goods to Iraq or Kuwait or to any other destination for the 49W purposes of any business carried on in Iraq or Kuwait, except under the authority of a licence.
An amendment was made to the open general import licence of 4 December 1987 prohibiting the importation into the United Kingdom of goods originating in Iraq or Kuwait.
29 August
The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) Order 1990 was made. It made minor amendments to the Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) Order and prohibits, except under a licence, payments under bonds in respect of a contract the performance of which is unlawful as a result of the sanctions.
5 October
The Iraq and Kuwait (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order 1990 was made. It imposes restrictions on aircraft overflying the United Kingdom where their destination is Iraq or Kuwait. The Order also imposes restrictions on ships registered in Iraq entering ports in the United Kingdom.
Similar provision has been made in respect of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the dependent territories.
Within my Department's export control organisation a new licensing and enforcement unit was created at the time of the imposition of the embargo against Iraq and Kuwait. This unit has specific responsibility for the co-ordination of all export licensing matters arising from the embargo and of any information that is received about possible embargo-related events.