§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the allegations contained in the Cook report of June 1995 relating to arms transport to Zaire, a transcript of which has been sent to him. [7525]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe investigation and prosecution of any alleged breaches of UK legislation implementing arms embargoes is a matter for the commissioners of Customs and Excise. It is not customs' general practice to comment publicly about the existence or nature of any investigation of individuals or companies not yet accused of criminal offences since to do so could risk prejudicing any on-going inquiries or future criminal proceedings.
I am, however, on this occasion able to tell the hon. Member that the allegations contained in the Cook report were taken into account in inquiries made by customs in 1995. These inquiries did not produce evidence to support any criminal proceedings.