HC Deb 12 November 2001 vol 374 c526W
Mr. Galloway

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what stage is the proposed purchase from Israel of the Gill-Spike anti-tank missile; what the results are of the tests of the missile by his Department in the UK and Canada; and if he will make a statement. [13667]

Dr. Moonie

Gill-Spike is already in service with the Israeli Ministry of Defence. The UK is currently evaluating Spike along with the US Javelin weapon to assess the most appropriate system to meet our requirement for medium range anti-tank guided weapons. The results of the trials will be considered, along with all other relevant factors including cost and time scales, before reaching a final decision. We expect to do so late next year.

Mr. Galloway

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) quantity and (b) category of defence equipment purchased from Israel for each year from 1997. [13671]

Dr. Moonie

Since 1997, five contracts have been placed with prime contractors based in Israel:

show and examples of artists who have performed. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. I am withholding costs of the artists performing for reasons of commercial confidentiality in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.