§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what request Customs and Excise has received from the United States Customs Department since 1989 for assistance in information on involvement of United Kingdom companies with the Atlanta branch of the Banca Nationale del Lavoro in funding arms purchases for Iraq. [16006]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 19 February 1996]: Requests from the United States Customs Department to Customs and Excise are made under the basis of a memorandum of understanding dated 6 July 1989. Requests and information provided are confidential exchanges solely for the purpose of mutual assistance set out in the memorandum.