LONDON, pct 9: Margaret Thatcher's son made a multimillion pound (dollar) fortune by getting commission on British arms sales to Saudi Arabia while she was prime minister, The Sunday Times reported, says AP.

The newspaper quoted from transcripts of tapes in which members of the Saudi royal family talk about Mark Thatcher's excellent connections’ with the British government during negotiations for a 20-billion pound (dlrs 25 billion) deal. The two-stage agreement was signed in 1985 and 1988.

The newspaper said Mark Thatcher. 40. a former racing driver who now lives in Dalias. Texas, made 12 million pounds fairs 15 million) out of the deal — one of the world’s biggest arms sales. .

"Although his action'll- over the Saudi deal are not illegal, they are likely to rais» questions over how he was allowed so brazenly to profit from his mothers political position, and

why she took no action to stop it." said the newspaper

The newspaper said It got tape* of conversations about the deal from a Saudi diplomat at the United Nations. Moham med Khilewi. He defected In May and was granted political asylum In the United States after leaking details of an alleged Saudi nuclear pro gramme.

Mark Thatcher has long been accused in the British press of trading on hts moth er's fame and of being linked to arms dealing generally. Including an attempt by a British company to sell Iraq a huge gun. the "super gun.”

Margaret Thatcher, prime minister from. 1979 to 1990. has always refused to discuss her son or answer questions in Parliament.

Britain's opposition Labour Party on Sunday demanded that Conservative Prime Minister John Major, who succeeded the now Lady Thatcher, should appoint a public inquiry.