HC Deb 14 January 1994 vol 235 cc345-6W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has concerning the commercial relationship between Royal Ordnance and Heckler and Koch(a) prior to 1987 and (b) since 1987.

Mr. Aitken

A licence agreement between Heckler and Koch GmbH and the Secretary of State for Defence was signed in April 1970, with amendments completed in February 1972 and December 1977. Under the terms of the licence, royal small arms factory Enfield built various Heckler and Koch weapons and sold these to Heckler and Koch (UK). The licence transferred to RO plc on incorporation of the latter on 2 January 1985. The Secretary of State for Defence has had no responsibility for the affairs of RO plc since its sale to British Aerospace plc.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how export control legislation was applied to the activities of Royal Ordnance(a) before and (b) after privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Aitken

Prior to 2 January 1985, when the royal ordnance factories became a plc, any sales made directly through the defence exports sales supply division had Crown status, and were therefore not subject to licensing. All other exports of ROF equipment were subject to the normal licensing requirements. From 2 January 1985, all exports by RO were subject to licensing.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has concerning(a) the sale of rocket propellant to Iraq by Royal Ordnance and (b) assistance provided by Royal Ordnance to Iran for the construction of a weapons plant; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Aitken

Matters relating to the export of United Kingdom defence equipment and dual use goods to Iraq are being investigated by Lord Justice Scott, and it would be inappropriate to comment on them before the publication of his final report. My Department holds no information to support the suggestion that Royal Ordnance provided assistance to Iran in the construction of a weapons plant.

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