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Iraq

Volume 175: debated on Monday 25 June 1990

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To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the main financial constituents of trade protocols one, two and three with Iraq.

The main constituents of the first three financial protocols were as follows:

YearAmount £ millionTo Finance
1983250Capital goods/projects
25Pharmaceuticals line of credit
1984250Capital goods/projects
50Pharmaceuticals line of credit
198650Pharmaceuticals line of credit
Under the financial protocols with Iraq, the Export Credits Guarantee Department undertakes to guarantee the repayment of an agreed amount of finance to be used in support of United Kingdom exports to Iraq. This lending is available for particular contracts or projects, or through lines of credit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to ensure that transputers ordered by Jordan are not used as a missile guidance system by Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 18 June 1990]: Her Majesty's Government's policy on missile proliferation is well known and all appropriate steps are taken to prevent the proliferation of equipment and technology. A licence is required to export transputers to any destination under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989, as amended. Applications for a licence to export transputers for a missile guidance system are considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with stringent criteria. It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on individual licensing matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether all contracts in the United Kingdom for providing sensitive military components for Iraq have now been identified; and what further action his Department intends to take.

[holding answer 18 June 1990]: Exporters are responsible for applying for, and obtaining, export licences for goods which are subject to control under the Export of Goods (Control) Order. My officials stand ready to advise whether an export licence is required.