Iraq (Hansard, 6 March 1991)

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his assessment of the effect that the activities of the Matrix Churchill Company have had on the development of the Iraqi defence industry;
(2) what is his assessment of the effect that the activities of the Ali Arabi Trading Co. have had on the development of the Iraqi defence industry.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The Ali Arabi Trading Company was the ultimate holding company for the British Company, Matrix Churchill. In the light of charges laid against individuals and continuing investigations being carried out by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise it would not be appropriate to comment further.
226W

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the source of the technology used by the Iraqi defence industry to manufacture 155mm artillery shells.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Iraq has acquired technology for its defence industry from a large number of countries.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information was supplied to the commanders of British forces in the Gulf region relating to British exports of non-lethal defence equipment to Iraq.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The commander of the British forces in the Gulf region was fully briefed on the known composition of enemy forces.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been supplied to his Department by foreign Governments regarding their exports to Iraq of defence equipment.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Her Majesty's Government have been in contact with allied and other Governments about their past defence exports to Iraq. Details of any information received remain confidential.