HC Deb 18 July 2003 vol 409 cc899-900W
Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Government-to-Government agreements governing the sale, supply and transfer of defence equipment were agreed between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2002; on what date each agreement was signed; and with which country each agreement was reached. [123158]

Mr. Caplin

The following government to government agreements governing the supply of defence equipment were agreed between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2002:

Date Country
12 February Czech Republic
21 March Canada
22 March Australia
22 May Austria
23 June Bangladesh
24 July Jordan
18 October Thailand

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British Aerospace(a) sought and (b) obtained clearance from his Department for the payment of agency commission in connection with the sale of defence equipment to Qatar. [115148]

Mr. Caplin

There is no requirement for United Kingdom companies to seek permission of the Defence Export Services Organisation to make commission payments; commercial arrangements are a matter for the companies involved, which are required to operate within the law.