§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of South Africa regarding allegations of sales of arms by British companies to the former South African Government in breach of the UN arms embargo; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryNo such discussions have taken place. Britain conscientiously enforced the UN arms embargo and related European and Commonwealth restrictions. At no time did we knowingly authorise any company to export defence equipment to South Africa, and any reports of British companies breaching the embargo were rigorously investigated by the appropriate authorities.