§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first became aware that the Azeri Government were hiring British mercenaries; and what steps he took.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI first became aware of the allegations published inThe Independent on 24 January. We have as yet no evidence to support these allegations, but my officials are looking into them. It would be a serious matter if a British company were found to be breaking the conference on security and co-operation in Europe arms embargo against parties to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.