§ Sir Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what authority a British embassy official in Nepal made a statement on 21 December 2003 that the British Government had agreed to supply two short-take-off-and-landing planes to the Royal Nepalese Army; whether the Government have agreed to give two short-take-off-and-landing aircraft to the Royal Nepalese Army; and if he will make a statement. [164909]
§ Mr. StrawAs part of our wider programme of support under Global Conflict Prevention funding, the Government are planning for the supply of two STOL aircraft to Nepal. The final decision will be confirmed after the departmental minute has been laid before Parliament.
In December 2003 a member of staff at the British embassy Kathmandu used previously agreed lines to respond to a press inquiry about the planned supply.