Written question asked by Roger Gale (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 1997. It was answered by Phillip Oppenheim (Conservative) on Monday, 17 March 1997 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: If the official inquiry by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise into Bmarc has found evidence of knowledge or involvement in illegal arms exports to Iran by the Right honourable Member for South Thanet.

Answer: Mr. Gale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the official inquiry by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise into Bmark has found evidence of knowledge or involvement in illegal arms exports to Iran by the right hon. Member for South Thanet (Mr. Aitken). [17903] Mr. Oppenheim: Customs' investigation is not yet complete--the result of some overseas inquiries is still awaited. It is not normally the practice of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to comment on investigations of individuals or companies not yet accused of criminal offences. To do so could risk prejudicing any on-going inquiries or future criminal proceedings. I can, however, say in the particular circumstances of this investigation, that inquiries to date have not produced any evidence which would support any criminal proceedings against any person, including my right hon. Friend the Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken) in relation to the exports by BMARC which were alleged to have ended up in Iran.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 17903; 292 c357W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Customs and Excise Arms trade Exports Weapons Iran British Manufacturing and Research Company Aitken, Jonathan