§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the armaments sales and transfer agreements involving Her Majesty's Government under the category of Government to Government in the last year for which figures are available, identifying separately those to which commission payments apply; what the accountability arrangements are for each agreement; and if he will make a statement. [129359]
§ Mr. HoonI have been asked to reply.
The UK's main Government to Government supply agreements were described in Part III of the 1998 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House. Table 8 of the report provided details of major equipment transferred between 1 January and 31 December 1998 by the Ministry's Disposal Sales Agency under this type of agreement. However, after publication, the Table was found to contain inaccuracies. It included details of two Jetstream aircraft for Uruguay which were not transferred until January 1999 and will therefore appear in the next Annual Report. The two entries for Brazil were also incorrect and should be consolidated into a one line entry for four River Class Patrol Minesweepers. The table also included details of the transfer of Harrier aircraft for India which were not handled under Government to Government arrangements.
Table 8 of the 1998 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls should therefore read as follows:
Destination Equipment Quantity Brazil River Class Patrol Minesweepers 4 Uruguay Wessex HC Mk2 Helicopters 5 Similar information in respect of 1999 transfers will appear in the 1999 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls which should be published shortly.
The Ministry of Defence does not employ agents nor does it pay commission to third parties in support of Government to Government overseas sales.