HC Deb 21 November 1996 vol 285 cc641-2W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he first received reports alleging that British companies were arranging indirect arms transfers to(a) Hutu refugees or (b) other groups in Zaire; [5300]

(2) when he was first informed of allegations of arms sales to Rwanda or Zaire by British companies after April 1994; and what steps he took to investigate; [5301]

(3) when the Government first received reports of the possible involvement of Mil-Tec Corporation Ltd. in the export of armaments whose final destination was (a) Rwanda and (b) Zaire; and if he will make a statement. [5294]

Mr. David Davis

There were rumours in the press of arms shipments to Zaire in 1994. HM Customs informed this Department in early 1995 that they were investigating allegations that arms were being supplied to Rwanda or Zaire. They also investigated information received from the UN in September 1996. No evidence to support criminal proceedings was found. Recent allegations of arms supplies to Rwandan extremists by United Kingdom companies are being pursued. Her Majesty's Government continue to co-operate closely with the UN international commission of inquiry.

I cannot comment in detail on individual cases in these circumstances but would urge those with the relevant background to provide it to HM Customs to assist their investigation.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that no British companies are involved in the supply of arms to the combatants in the current conflict in the great lakes region of Africa; and if he will make a statement. [5368]

Mr. Davis

Order in Council 1993 No. 1787 as amended by No. 1637 of 22 June 1994 provides that, except under licence, no person shall(a) supply or deliver (b) agree to supply or deliver (c) do any act likely to promote the supply or delivery of prohibited goods to Rwanda, or to, or to the order of, a person connected with Rwanda, or to any destination for the purpose of delivery, directly or indirectly, to Rwanda, or to, or to the order of, any person connected with Rwanda.

This applies to any person within the UK and to any person elsewhere who is a British national or a company incorporated in the UK. This includes British citizens in the Isle of Man and Channel Islands. The Government will extend the legislation to cover, inter alia, companies there at the earliest opportunity.

As announced on 19 November 1996, the Government have tasked an interdepartmental committee to examine rigorously our procedures in relation to trafficking in arms and to determine whether there has been a gap in our controls and if so what action needs to be taken.