HC Deb 09 July 2003 vol 408 cc814-5W
Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department first received allegations of corrupt practice by BAE Systems regarding the possible sale of Gripen jets and the decision by the Government of the Czech Republic to buy supersonic aircraft. [123012]

Mr. MacShane

We have not received any substantiated allegations of corrupt practice by BAE Systems over the possible sale of Gripen jets to the Czech Republic.

Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United States Government first made complaints of alleged corrupt practice by BAE Systems regarding the possible sale of Gripen jets and the decision by the Government of the Czech Republic to buy supersonic aircraft to his Department; and which United States Government Department made this complaint. [123013]

Mr. MacShane

Various Departments of the US Administration have raised allegations against BAE Systems, on a number of occasions, since the US industry decision in May 2001 not to continue participation in the Czech Republic's fighter aircraft competition, but we have been unable to find, nor have we been given, any evidence whatsoever to substantiate them.

Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings have been held since 1 January 1999 between Ministers in his Department and the United States administration in which allegations of corrupt practice by BAE Systems regarding the possible sale of Gripen jets and the decision by the government of the Czech Republic to buy supersonic aircraft were discussed; when each of these meetings was held; where each of these meetings was held; and which United States Administration departments attended each of these meetings. [123015]

Mr. MacShane

No allegations of corrupt practice have been discussed in any meetings between FCO Ministers and the US Administration.

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