HC Deb 26 November 1992 vol 214 cc771-2W
Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he received the letter from Mr. Abdul S. Minty, director of the World Campaign Against Military and Nuclear Collaboration with South Africa, concerning Mr. Mark Thatcher and the sale of South African arms to Saudi Arabia; and if he will publish his reply.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

A letter from Mr. Minty dated 3 June 1992 was received in the office of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on that day. The reply, from an official, dated 25 June, statedThe United Kingdom adheres to UN Security Council resolutions 558 and 591 concerning, inter alia, the import of South African-produced arms. We take seriously allegations of British involvement in any contravention of these resolutions. In the case the hon. Member raises, we have no knowledge as to whether South African-produced arms were purchased by customers in third countries. But we shall investigate any alleged British involvement if it is established that such arms were imported in breach of the above resolutions.

Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what position was adopted by Britain's representative on the United Nations 421 Arms Embargo Committee of the Security Council's consideration of the report concerning Mr. Mark Thatcher and the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There has been no substantive discussion within the committee to date, although the chairman has undertaken to seek information on the report from the relevant parties. But if the committee were to establish that arms have been imported in breach of United Nations Security Council resolution 558, we would of course be prepared to investigate any allegations of British involvement.

Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of the United States of America concerning the activities of Mr. Mark Thatcher on arms deals involving South Africa; and what action he took in response.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We are not aware of any such representations.

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