SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE INVESTIGATION INTO THE AL YAMAMAH MILITARY CONTRACT

Early day motion 595, tabled 10 January 2007 by Roger Berry (Labour). Signed by 125 members.

That this House notes the recent decision that the Serious Fraud Office end its investigation into BAE Systems plc and the Al Yamamah military contract with the Government of Saudi Arabia; further notes that the UK is a signatory to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and that Article 5 of this Convention requires that the investigation and prosecution of foreign bribery `shall not be influenced by considerations of national economic interests' or `the potential effect upon relations with another State'; believes that the early termination of this investigation for reasons other than the legal merits of the case sends the clear message that companies trading with countries that governments claim to be of strategic importance are above the law and can bribe with impunity; further believes that the decision is likely to cause irreparable damage to the UK's reputation as an anti-corruption champion; and calls on the UK Government to re-open the investigation of this case.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 55, Labour 52, Conservative 6, Scottish National Party 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, Independent Labour 1.