HC Deb 19 September 2002 vol 390 c161W
John Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the ECGD obtained the judgment by Judge Cullinan in Lesotho in the bribery case against Masupha Sole; and how they obtained it. [72580]

Ms Hewitt

ECGD received a copy of the Judgement on 3 July 2002. This was obtained by the British High Commission in Maseru from the Secretary to Justice Cullinan

John Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many allegations of corruption the ECGD has received, and how many of these allegations it has referred to, the(a) Serious Fraud Office, (b) National Criminal Intelligence Service and (c) Scotland Yard in the last three years. [72587]

Ms Hewitt

In the last three years ECGD has received three allegations of corruption, and one has been referred to the SFO. None has been referred to NCIS or Scotland Yard.

John Austin

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the ECGD has investigated bribery allegations in the deal it between BAe Systems and the Government of Qatar; and whether it has referred this case to the relevant external investigatory body. [72586]

Ms Hewitt

No allegations have been received by ECGD, although the Department is aware of allegations in the press. Matters connected with these assertions were investigated by the Jersey authorities and ECGD responded to enquiries made of it by the Jersey authorities.