HC Deb 26 February 1996 vol 272 cc298-9W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the present whereabouts and ownership of International Military Services Ltd. files relating to defence consultancies and contracts in Jordan, Iran and Iraq after 1981. [16313]

Mr. Arbuthnot

These are matters for the company.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance was provided by(a) serving and (b) recently discharged British officers to International Military Services Ltd. to provide advice to the Government of Iraq between July 1981 and August 1990. [16305]

Mr. Arbuthnot

Advice given by any IMS representatives is a matter for the company. I am not aware of any serving officers being involved in any such matters.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date a final settlement of outstanding contractual issues with Iran in respect of contracts involving International Military Services Ltd. was concluded. [16309]

Mr. Arbuthnot

This is a matter for International Military Services Ltd., but I understand that not all of the company's outstanding contractual issues have been concluded.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department(a) was informed of and (b) approved the instruction of the chief executive of International Military Services Ltd. to remove material relating to Iraq from the company's files. [16394]

Mr. Arbuthnot

No. The maintenance of records is a matter for the company.