Written question asked by Robin Cook (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 January 1996. It was answered by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Friday, 19 January 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: For what reasons records of 155mm shell sales and records for the disposal of surplus 155mm shells between 1985 and 1990 by his Department are not available as indicated in his Answer of 7th November, Official Report, column 666W.

Answer: Mr. Cook: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons records of 155mm shell sales and records for the disposal of surplus 155mm shells between 1985 and 1990 by his Department are not available as indicated in his answer of 7 November 1995, Official Report, column 666. [10651] Mr. Arbuthnot: My previous answer related to the sale by MOD of surplus 155mm ammunition and not disposal of such ammunition by other means, in the period between 1985 and 1990. Papers relating to such sales, from which the information sought could be obtained, are routinely archived and destroyed when no longer current. Residual file lists suggest that no sales of surplus 155mm ammunition were made by my Department in that period.

Secondary information