HC Deb 06 February 1995 vol 254 cc4-5W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences have been granted for the export of electric shock equipment since 1988, for which countries and for how many devices.

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether export licences have been granted for the transfer of electric shock equipment to Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Taylor

It would be possible to establish whether any export licences had been sought for such exports only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what stocks of shock batons were supplied directly of indirectly to Saudi Arabia(a) under the Al Yamamah programme and (b) in any other transaction in the period (i) three years before and (ii) six years after the signing of the Al Yamamah deal (1) by the British Government, (2) by British companies or (3) by arrangement with any company with offices in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Ian Taylor

[holding answer 26 January 1995]: Both British Aerospace and the Ministry of Defence have denied that any electric batons were supplied under the Al Yamamah programme. It would be possible to establish whether any export licences had been sought for such exports only at disproportionate cost. Deals not involving export from the UK require no licence.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with ICL Technical Plastics about the sale or export of electro-shock equipment; and what support his Department has provided.

Mr. Ian Taylor

[holding answer 26 January 1995]: There is no record of support to ICL Technical Plastics for this purpose. My officials have spoken to representatives of the company who have denied the allegations in the Channel 4 television programme "Dispatches" on 11 January 1995.

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the export of electric shock batons and other equipment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Taylor

I am aware of the allegations made in the channel 4 television programme "Dispatches" on 11 January 1995. The companies concerned have made public denials of the allegations.

Ms Janet Anderson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with BAe Royal Ordnance about the sale of electric shock batons to(a) Saudi Arabia and (b) other countries.

Mr. Ian Taylor

My officials contacted British Aerospace following the screening of the Channel 4 television programme "Dispatches" on 11 January 1995. The company has denied the allegations made in the programme.