§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list those Governments with whom the United Kingdom Government to Government service and contract agreements allow for payments in oil; and for what dates such agreements were made. [71811]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 16 February 1999]: Payments in oil to the UK Government for supplying goods or services are not precluded under existing rules provided they represent the most cost effective and practical method. It is a matter for individual Government Departments to negotiate appropriate contracts after considering each case on its merits. Because of this, no centralised records are kept of the agreements reached.