§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department was made aware of allegations of fraud, involving(a) Royal Ordnance, (b) BMARC and (c) Astra in the Jordan defence package; 174W and what response was made by his Department to these allegations. [1031]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotAllegations of corruption involving Royal Ordnance and the Astra group of companies were made to the Ministry of Defence police in early 1990 and investigations began on 1 February 1990. They were not linked to the Jordan defence package. Any investigation into breaches of export control is a matter for HM Customs and Excise.