§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what evidence he has obtained of British companies supplying weapons to(a) the Congo, (b) Uganda and (c) Liberia; and if he will make a statement; [65698]
(2) what evidence he has obtained of possible breaches of the UN embargo on arms supplies to Sierra Leone; what investigation he has ordered into reports of such breaches; and if he will make a statement; [65703]
(3) what evidence he has obtained of British companies supplying weapons to Sierra Leone; what investigation he has ordered into reports of such supplies; and if he will make a statement. [65702]
§ Mr. Tony LloydA recent newspaper article alleged that two British companies may have been involved in supplying arms to Sierra Leone, via the Gambia and Liberia, in breach of the UN arms embargo. The article also alleged that one of the companies may have delivered arms to the DRC via Uganda and Rwanda. The FCO have drawn these allegations to the attention of Customs and Excise who are responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any alleged breaches of UK legislation implementing arms embargoes.