asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will investigate whether the take-over by the South African company Altech of Scottish Cables could affect Britain's responsibilities under the United Nations mandatory arms embargo.

The United Kingdom complies fully with its obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 418, which concerns the export of military goods and the transfer of related technology to South Africa. There are no grounds for believing that these obligations were affected by the take-over to which the hon. Member refers, which involved the sale of a United Kingdom subsidiary already located and operating in South Africa.