§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences for the sale of weapons to Sierra Leone were granted in the last 12 months.[41177]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 8 May 1998]: The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained.
Between 2 May 1997 and 3 April 1998, one Standard Individual Export Licence was issued covering the export to Sierra Leone of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. This licence covered goods controlled under entry ML1 of the legislation. It was revoked by the Secretary of State on 16 October 1997, because of the introduction of the arms embargo against Sierra Leone in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1132 (1997). No Open Individual Export Licences covering such exports were issued in that period.
This information does not cover Media OIELs issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.
This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry, to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71. For part of this period, Sierra Leone was a permitted destination on two Open General Licences:
The OGEL (Export After Exhibition: Military Goods), which covers the export after exhibition in the UK of any Military List goods except anti-personnel landmines and specially-designed components therefor; leg-irons, gangchains, shackles and electric-shock belts, specially designed for restraining human beings; portable devices designed or modified for the purpose of riot control or self-protection by the administration of an electric shock (including electric-shock batons, electric shock shields, stun guns and electric shock dart guns (tasers)) and components therefor specially designed or modified for such a purpose.The OGEL (Military Surplus Vehicles), which covers ground vehicles and components therefor specially designed or modified for military use including trailers but excluding tanks, self-propelled guns, armed vehicles, armoured vehicles, vehicles fitted with mountings for arms, half-tracks, gun-carriers, tractors and trailers specially designed for towing or transporting ammunition or weapons systems and related load-handling equipment, mobile repair shops specially designed to service military equipment, and components specially designed or modified for military use for goods specified above.It cannot be assumed from this that any such export to Sierra Leone actually took place. Sierra Leone was removed from both licences in accordance with Resolution 1132 on 17 October 1997.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what export licences have been granted to Sandline International in the last year.[42379]
683W
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 18 May 1998]: The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 2 May 1997 and 26 May 1998, no Standard or Open Individual Export Licences were issued to Sandline.
This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–871.
During this period, there were a number of Open General Export Licences (OGELs) in force. OGELs are not issued to individual exporters but instead are valid for any exporter wishing to export the goods listed to the destinations allowed, providing they meet the restrictions and conditions of the licence. Copies of all OGELs valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what contacts(a) officials and (b) ministers in her Department have had with Sandline over the last year.[42380]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 18 May 1998]: I am not aware of any contacts between my Department and Sandline International since this Government took office, prior to receipt by my office of a copy of the letter of 24 April to the Foreign Secretary from the company's legal representatives, S. J. Berwin & Co.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when information was first placed in her red boxes about military intervention to restore the Government of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone; [42593]
(2) when she was first notified of the involvement of Sandline International in Sierra Leone;[42589]
(3) when information was first placed in her red boxes about the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone;[42595]
(4) when (a) she and (b) her Private Office first received reports of proposed military intervention to restore the Government of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone;[42591]
(5) when information was first placed in her red boxes about the Customs and Excise investigation into involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone;[42594]
(6) when her Private Office was first informed of the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone;[42590]
(7) when she was first notified of the Customs and Excise investigation into the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone;[42588]
(8) when her Private Office was first notified of the Customs and Excise investigation into the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone;[42592]
(9) when she was first informed of the involvement of a British company in the restoration of the democratic Government in Sierra Leone.[42377]
684W
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 18 May 1998]: In relation to when I first saw the letter from Sandline's solicitors, I refer the right hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 4 June 1998, Official Report, column 317. In relation to more general questions about Sandline, I refer the right hon. Member to the statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the House during the debate on 18 May 1998, Official Report, columns 604–11, in which he announced the investigation by Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC into allegations about Government involvement with the supply of arms to Sierra Leone by UK citizens and firms, and said that the Terms of Reference would be placed in the Library of the House. The Foreign Secretary intends to publish the report of the investigation.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to answer the questions for answer on 18 May from the right hon. Member for Wokingham relating to Sandline and Sierra Leone, question numbers(a) 42379, (b) 42380, (c) 42588, (d) 42589, (e) 42590, (f) 42591, (g) 42592, (h) 42593, (i) 42594 and (j) 42595.[45720]
§ Mrs. BeckettI have answered these today.