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Written question asked by Ann Clwyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 January 2000. It was answered by Peter Kilfoyle (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 January 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Ministry of Defence

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what actions his Department took to prevent Pakistan Ordnance Factories from exhibiting brochures at the Defence Systems Equipment International '99 Exhibition at Chertsey; what assessment his Department made of Pakistan's ordnance factories' production, with particular reference to anti-personnel land mines, before it was invited to the Defence Systems Equipment International `99 Exhibition.
Answer

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what actions his Department took to prevent Pakistan Ordnance Factories from exhibiting brochures at the Defence Systems Equipment International '99 Exhibition at Chertsey; [104158] (2) what assessment his Department made of Pakistan's ordnance factories' production, with particular reference to anti-personnel land mines, before it was invited to the Defence Systems Equipment International '99 Exhibition. [104298] Mr. Kilfoyle: The Pakistan Ordnance Factories stand at Defence Systems Equipment International '99 (DSEi99) Exhibition was reviewed by MOD officials and, at that time, no literature promoting Anti-Personnel Mines was found. No specific action was therefore required or taken to prevent the company from exhibiting brochures at DSEi99. Attendance of companies at the show was a matter for the organisers, DSEi Ltd., who assured HMG that they would require that all exhibitions and promotional material would comply with UK legislation, including the Landmines Act 1998, and Government policy. HM Customs and Excise are currently investigating an allegation that Pakistan Ordnance Factories referred to anti-personnel landmines in their promotional material.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
342 c127-8W; 104158;104298
Session
1999-00
Subjects
Arms trade Defence equipment Landmines Pakistan Exhibitions Pakistan Ordnance Factories