Written question asked by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 29 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2002. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Monday, 4 November 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what investigations his Department had carried out into sanctions-breaking by (a) UK companies and (b) British-based persons in respect of the supply of spare parts for British Aerospace Hawk jets of the Zimbabwe Defence Force to the Democratic Republic of Congo, prior to the publication of the UN Panel of Exports' report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the DRC.

Answer: Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations his Department had carried out into sanctions-breaking by (a) UK companies and (b) British-based persons in respect of the supply of spare parts for British Aerospace Hawk jets of the Zimbabwe Defence Force to the Democratic Republic of Congo, prior to the publication of the UN Panel of Exports' report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the DRC. [78855] Mr. Rammell: The information is as follows: (a) The recent UN Panel report on the Democratic Republic of Congo contains allegations in relation to the supply of Hawk jet spare parts. We are urgently seeking further details from the UN, and will investigate them fully. (b) None.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 78855; 392 c72W;392 c71W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Companies Arms trade Environment protection Natural resources Sanctions Zimbabwe Democratic Republic of the Congo Multinational companies Hawk aircraft
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk