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Written question asked by Eilidh Whiteford (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 4 July 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 6 July 2012. It was answered by Norman Lamb (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 10 July 2012 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.


Arms Trade

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) which developing countries owe the UK debts for arms sales; and what arms this includes;

[116072]

Answer

The information requested is not readily available and would involve disproportionate cost to obtain, assuming it is still held, given the age of the export contracts involved, most of which go back to the 1970s and 1980s. UK Export Finance (ECGD) is currently carrying out an exercise to ascertain what information might be available about the debts. Because of the age of the related export contracts and the sheer volume of fifes involved, this exercise is still ongoing. Subject to availability of staff resources that can be diverted to this task, the aim is to complete it as soon as possible. When the exercise is complete, the information that is available will be placed in the Library of the House.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
116072; 548 c164W
Session
2012-13
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2012-1582
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects
Developing countries Arms trade
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk