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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the claims in the UN's Panel of Experts report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo that British Aerospace spare parts for Zimbabwe Defence Force Hawk jets were supplied to the DRC early in 2002 in breach of European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe; what information he has on the role (a) Mr. John Bredenkamp, (b) the Aviation Consultancy Services Company and (c) other individuals or companies played in mediating those deals; who granted the export licences; and if he will make a statement. [77983] Mr. Straw: We are looking into the UN panel report. We take seriously any allegation that the UK or EU arms embargoes on Zimbabwe may have been circumvented. Any action in the UK would be a matter for the relevant authorities. We are aware of allegations of past arms dealing activities by Mr. John Bredenkamp. I am unable to provide the precise information requested by the right hon. Member under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

77983; 391 c756-7W;391 c752W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Companies Arms trade EU action Export controls Democratic Republic of the Congo Zimbabwe Sanctions Hawk aircraft

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk