HC Deb 22 June 1966 vol 730 cc555-6
10. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why there was no co operation between the United States Government and Her Majesty's Government on the recent sale of arms to Jordan, in view of the agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government on cooperative sales to third countries.

Mr. Healey

The discussions that took place with the United States and Jordanian Governments were confidential and I cannot disclose details.

Mr. Ridley

No wonder. If the agreement in effect is viable, why has there been no benefit whatever to us in relation to Jordan, or, so far as we know, in relation to another Middle East country which will be relevant shortly? Is he aware that this is a classical example of the fact that this agreement is worth nothing?

Mr. Healey

There is no agreement for us to co-operate with the United States on all sales of armaments to third countries. Only last week I made certain sales to the German Government in competition with the United States. Jordan was an issue in our discussions with the United States, but the fact is that the Jordan Government found it more to its interest to buy three times as many refurbished American aircraft as new British aircraft. There was nothing we could do about it. In the end, the buyer will always decide what he wants.

Mr. Powell

Is it not a fact that the arrangements for a co-operative sale to Jordan were far advanced? Why did they break down?

Mr. Healey

No, Sir. Like so many statements by the right hon. Gentleman, that is not a fact.