§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2002,Official Report, columns 44–50W, whether discussions have taken place in the last two years between British Government officials and (a) Andrew Smith and (b) other representatives of Avient Air in Zimbabwe on matters other than the sale of military equipment. [82998]
§ Mr. Rammell[holding answer 25 November 2002]: Further investigation has revealed that there have been a number of discussions in the last two years between Andrew Smith and British Government officials in London and Freetown concerning Mr. Smith's interest in a civil aviation contract in Sierra Leone. Mr. Smith has also made representations to officials following the publication of the UN Panel Report on the DRC.
953WIn addition, further investigation has revealed that the previous Political Counsellor at the British High Commission in Harare met Mr. Smith on a number of occasions in the last two years, and that our Defence Attaché in Zimbabwe had a meeting with Mr. Smith in October 2001. The Defence Attaché also met him informally at several social events in that year.
I have instructed officials to continue investigations into contacts between Mr. Smith and Government officials and I will write if I have any further information.
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 between British Government officials and (i) Mr. Andrew Smith and (ii) other representatives of Avient Air in (A) Zimbabwe and (B)the UK with regard to (1) sales of military equipment, (2) military operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and (3) other matters. [83034]
§ Mr. Rammell[holding answer 25 November 2002]: British High Commission officials in Zimbabwe had contact with Mr. Smith on a number of occasions between 1998 and 2000, including at social events. British officials did not at any time encourage, support or promote Mr. Smith's activities in the DRC.
I have instructed officials to continue investigations into contacts between Mr. Smith and Government officials and I will write if I have any further information.