HC Deb 14 December 1992 vol 216 cc23-4W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the contribution made to the Iraq nuclear weapons programme of the technical aid provided by the United Kingdom to Iraq via the Baghdad pact nuclear training centre since 1962.

Mr. Heseltine

It is my understanding from the limited information available that Iraq ceased to participate in the activities of the training centre when it was transferred to Tehran following the revolution in Iraq in 1959.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make available to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry all papers, records and evidence assembled by his inspectors in the course of their inquiries into Astra Holdings plc.

Mr. Neil Hamilton

All relevant Government papers will be made available to Lord Justice Scott on request.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent,Official Report, 9 November, column 589, for what reasons confidentiality was requested by Her Majesty's Government to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq in the provision of information of possible involvement of United Kingdom companies in the Iraq nuclear programme.

Mr. Needham

Lack of confidentialilty would hamper and could prejudice investigations into any evidence of wrong-doing or breaches of export controls.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what information his Department's export control organisation has in regard to the compliance by United Kingdom-based or registered companies with the Export of Goods (Control) (Iraq and Kuwait Sanctions) Order 1990, date 8 August 1990;

(2) what investigations his Department has made to verify the compliance of United Kingdom exporters with European Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2340/90 banning trade with Iraq.

Mr. Needham

United Nations Security Council resolution 661 was adopted on 6 August 1990 and imposed a total economic embargo against Iraq following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The Government have no evidence of any major breaches of the Iraq sanctions by British exporters or businesses. Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have successfully prosecuted two businesses for minor breaches of sanctions involving the export to Iraq of office furniture and goods to an Iraqi canning factory.

If the hon. Member has any evidence of a contravention of sanctions it shall be urgently investigated, and if appropriate would be a matter for the courts.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he possesses on the role of(a) Apremont S.A. Company of Panama, (b) Muiden Chemie Company of the Netherlands, (c) GEA Company, Remie Ltd. and Erber Ltd. of Italy, (d) SPEL Company of Portugal and (e) Banco Nazionale Del Lavoro in facilitating the export of United Kingdom origin military equipment to Iraq since 1985.

Mr. Needham

Matters relating to the export of defence equipment from the United Kingdom to Iraq are for Lord Justice Scotts inquiry to consider.