HC Deb 24 April 1995 vol 258 cc395-6W
Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions have taken place since 1 January 1992 between(a) Alvis and (b) Racal and his Department concerning the export of security-related equipment from Britain to the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. [20327]

Mr. Freeman

As part of their normal duties of promoting the sale of British defence equipment, officials from the Defence Export Services Organisation have had numerous discussions with Alvis, Racal and a number of other companies about the prospects for the sale of defence equipment to Lebanon.

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the role of Future Management Services in the promotion of arms sales to the middle east; and if he will make a statement. [20328]

Mr. Freeman

Future Management Services has discussed export prospects to the middle east for UK companies with DESO officials on a number of occasions.

Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates between April 1992 and July 1994 Ministers in his Department met Mr. Fouad Makhzoumi to discuss arms sales; which Ministers were involved; and if civil servants were present during such meetings. [20486]

Mr. Freeman

My right hon. Friend the Member for Thanet, South met Mr. Makhzoumi on several occasions between April 1992 and July 1994 to discuss the prospects for the sale of defence equipment to Lebanon and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson).

There are no records of meetings between other Ministry of Defence Ministers and Mr. Makhzoumi between April 1992 and July 1994.