HC Deb 11 June 1958 vol 589 c193
21. Mr. Peyton

asked the Minister of Defence what measure of agreement he has reached with the United States Government concerning the sales of military aircraft and other weapons to foreign countries at prices substantially below the cost of production.

Mr. Sandys

None, Sir.

Mr. Peyton

Would my right hon. Friend consider making an approach to the American Government bearing in mind that, in any competition which is based on Government-subsidised sales, this country is almost bound to come off worst, and that foreign sales are of the utmost importance from the point of view of our home aircraft industry?

Mr. Sandys

Of course, I fully understand the problem to which my hon. Friend has referred, but the prices at which Governments, or for that matter firms—and very often the problem arises as much with firms as with Governments—decide to sell weapons to foreign Governments is their own affair.