HC Deb 24 October 1994 vol 248 cc493-4W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent meetings he has had with Saudi Arabian Government officials on the plans of the Saudi Offset committee in regard to the Al-Yamamah agreement.

Mr. Freeman

My officials met the Saudi economic offset committee on 17 October to review the progress of the Al-Yamamah offset programme.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has requested from theSunday Times the original tape recordings and other evidence reported on 9 October alleging the payment of brokerage fees to Mr. Mark Thatcher in regard to the Al-Yamamah defence contracts with Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Freeman

No.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Defence Export Sales Organisation has held any formal or informal meetings with Mr. Mark Thatcher in regard to the Al-Yamamah defence agreement with Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Freeman

I know of no evidence that Mr. Thatcher played any part in, or influenced, the British Government's negotiations with the Saudi Arabian Government on the Al-Yamamah contracts.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the Al-Yamamah defence agreements signed with Saudi Arabia on 26 September 1985, 17 February 1986 and 3 July 1988; and what plans there are to update these agreements.

Mr. Freeman

No. The understandings referred to are confidential between the British and Saudi Arabian Governments. There are no current plans to update these understandings.