To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations her Department has received from the United States Government on the Government’s decision to suspend the Serious Fraud Office inquiry into the Al-Yamamah deal; when those representations were received; and if she will make a statement. (142422)

US officials participated fully in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Working Group on Bribery discussions on 16-18 January and 12-14 March. On 19 January the Economic Counsellor from the US embassy met with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and registered American concerns about the Serious Fraud Office’s decision. In the meeting it was made clear that the decision to discontinue the investigation was taken by the Serious Fraud Office Director alone on considerations of national and international security.