§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether International Military Services have settled all contractual issues arising from the sale of tanks to the Shah of Iran; in what legal actions in the last five years IMS has been involved; under which jurisdictions; and when he expects to wind up the affairs of International Military Services. [99074]
§ Mr. HoonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 6 February 2003, Official Report, column 402W, to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor). The only legal actions in which International Military Services Ltd. (IMS) has been involved have been those relating to its arbitrations with Iran on the tank contracts and an infrastructure contract, and the consequential appeals. Different elements of the actions have been conducted under Dutch and English jurisdiction. IMS will be wound up when the appeals proceedings are complete. This may not be for four or five years.