HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 c446W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on HM Customs and Excise's seizure of cargo at Thamesport, in July, imported from the United States destined for Dubai and Lahore, alleged to have been procured for the Pakistani nuclear weapons programme. [94149]

Miss Melanie Johnson

There was no seizure of the nature identified in July 1999. There was, in May 1999, a seizure of aluminium bars intended for shipment to Dubai with a final destination understood to be Pakistan. The bars were of a specification which requires an export licence and were seized because there was no licence. Inquiries into this incident are continuing.