2 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Defence the surplus Army weapons which have been sold off in recent times; the purchaser of these weapons and the quantities involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

30 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the means of disposal of surplus outdated arms and ammunition; the revenue generated by this disposal; and the countries involved.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 30 together.

Tenders were invited on a selected basis in March 1990 for the disposal by sale of some 6,000 obsolete Lee Enfield and other rifles; 1,750 small arms and 47 obsolete machine guns. The sale of the weapons is at present in progress.

It is intended to dispose of the Lee Enfield rifles to a Canadian based company, some small arms to US and English based companies and the remaining balance of the weapons to a German based company. The revenue generated from the sale is expected to be of the order of £300,000.

No sales of obsolete ammunition are undertaken and disposal of such ammunition is generally by destruction.

What precautions have been taken to ensure that these weapons will not fall into the hands of terrorists, bandits or drug cartels?

That question, of course, is uppermost in our minds. The weapons will be disposed of to reputable purchasers only.