HC Deb 31 October 1990 vol 178 cc608-9W
74. Mr. Maxton

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the number of firms affected by the withdrawal of contracts from Iraq.

125. Mr. David Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the number of firms affected by the withdrawal of contracts from Iraq.

Mr. Sainsbury

We do not have a complete count of United Kingdom firms affected. The DTI, the Bank of England and the FCO have dealt with a large volume of inquiries since the beginning of the crisis. ECGD is in contact with most of the firms which insured their contracts and will be meeting established claims.

Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he possesses concerning the export arrangements which Ordnance Technologies Ltd of Reading have had with Iraq since 1987.

Mr. Sainsbury

It has not been the practice of successive Governments to disclose such information.