Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the status of the £400 million debt owed to the government of Iran for the non-delivery of Chieftain tanks in 1979; and what steps they are taking to repay it.

Her Majesty’s Government acknowledges International Military Services’ debt and remains committed to exploring all options for a practicable and legally-viable means of discharging it, and intensive efforts are underway to that end. We will not, however, comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.