HC Deb 10 February 1964 vol 689 cc2-3
2. Mr. Snow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which member of Her Majesty's Embassy in Tokyo is responsible for technical commercial aircraft market duties.

Mr. Mathew

These duties are shared between the naval and air attaché, the commercial counsellor and other members of the commercial staff.

Mr. Snow

As the hon. Gentleman will have surmised, this Question is addressed to the fact that the post of air attaché has itself been abolished. Does he agree that there is a long history of great commercial aid being given by the air attachés at embassies? Does he agree that this market of Japan and also its proximity to new and possibly developing markets is in a most important position and should attract an air attaché appointed as such?

Mr. Mathew

As the hon. Member knows, there is a naval officer who is naval and air attaché at present. Any question about the withdrawal of the separate air attaché from Tokyo is, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air. Her Majesty's Embassy in Tokyo did everything possible to help Hawker Siddeley to sell Trident aircraft to the Japanese. There was full co-operation with the firm, and it was asked repeatedly whether there was anything more the Embassy could do to help with the sale.

Mr. Snow

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that responsibility for whether or not there is an air attaché has been stated to have been the responsibility of his Department? Surely there is a responsibility on the Foreign Office? To have a naval and air attaché combined does not meet the case when we are competing, for instance, with the U.S.A.

Mr. Mathew

So far as I am aware, the responsibility in this case throughout has been a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air.