§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature of the assurance given by DSEI Ltd. that companies exhibiting at the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition would comply with the Government's policies and UK legislation; and what check was made to see that this was achieved. [99513]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe organisers agreed that all equipment on display at the exhibition (including promotional material) would comply with current HMG policy and that no equipment would be exhibited which the UK would not approve for export. MOD agreed to advise the organisers on the suitability of exhibits.
UK contractors were bound by the Handbook of Industrial Security and their exhibits were scrutinised by MOD staff for compliance. Overseas exhibitors, although not bound by the Handbook, were subject to spot checks by MOD staff to ensure hardware on display was compliant with Government policies and UK legislation.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what checks and controls will be established for arms exhibitions held in the UK to ensure that exhibitors and organisers comply with the Landmines Act 1998. [99510]
§ Mr. KilfoyleCurrently, there is no specific check for compliance with the Landmines Act 1998. However, anti-personnel landmines would be included as part of the normal spot check by MOD staff of all equipment on display. In addition, HM Customs and Excise routinely check all equipment imported into the country to ensure compliance with UK legislation, including the Landmines Act.
Participation at any UK defence exhibitions is conditional on compliance with UK law, which includes the Landmines Act.
Regarding checks of exhibits at UK defence exhibitions, UK contractors are scrutinised for compliance against the Handbook of Industrial Security. Overseas contractors are not bound by the Handbook of Industrial Security but have to comply with the organisers' requirements, which make compliance with UK law mandatory, and are subject to spot checks by MOD staff.
These procedures will be reviewed for future UK defence exhibitions.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects his Department's police investigation into alleged sales of anti-personnel mines at the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition in Chertsey, Surrey, to be completed. [99512]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe Ministry of Defence Police are investigating allegations that a Romanian company advertised the sale of anti-personnel mines at the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition held at 117W Chertsey in September 1999. I understand that the investigations are nearing completion at which point a file will be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what checks were made of products for sale at Defence Systems and Equipment International for compliance with the Landmines Act 1998; and who was responsible for carrying out such checks. [99511]
§ Mr. KilfoyleParticipation at Defence Systems and Equipment International was conditional on compliance with UK law, including compliance with the Landmines Act 1998.
In addition to checks by HM Customs&Excise to ensure that no prohibited equipment, including anti-personnel landmines, was imported into the UK, all exhibits at DSEI by UK companies were subject to the provisions of the UK Handbook on Industrial Security and were scrutinised by MOD staff for compliance. Exhibits by overseas companies, although not bound by the provisions of the Handbook, were subject to spot checks by MOD staff to ensure that hardware on display was compliant with Government policies and UK legislation. No anti-personnel landmine equipment was observed.