HC Deb 22 March 1999 vol 328 c62W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy regarding private companies based in the UK offering mercenary services.[77252]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

We and our EU partners have always made it clear that we unequivocally condemn the recruitment, use and financing of mercenaries. We are concerned about the spread of mercenary activity.

Private military companies which carry out their business within the law are generally not a cause for concern. Our concerns relate principally to those companies which are involved in the supply of military equipment or other controller goods and services in breach of the UK's national commitments, or which supply, or offer to supply, mercenaries or related military services.