§ 22. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration is given to their capacity for promoting British exports when naval, military, air and defence attachés are selected; and what instruction is given to them with regard to increasing British exports when they are appointed.
§ Mr. HealeyDefence and Service Attachés are selected on their all-round suitability for such posts. Their capacity for promoting British defence exports is a major consideration. Attachés are given appropriate briefing, both oral and written, and also visit manufacturers before taking up their appointments.
§ Mr. CroninWhile I appreciate that there has been a very big improvement in the situation since the appointment of Head of Defence Sales, nevertheless is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are still some Service attachés who appear to be unaware of their potential contribution to British exports? Will he see that they receive suitable guidance?
§ Mr. HealeyI am not aware of any such attachés, but if my hon. Friend has details of any, I will look into the matter.
§ Sir G. NabarroIs the Minister aware that the statement which he has just made in referring to the Defence Estimates for 1967—[Interruption.]—showing our purchases from the United States of America is utterly obscure—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The question concerns attachés.
§ Sir G. NabarroIs it not the responsibility of attachés in the United States of America to deal with these matters, Mr. Speaker? Cannot we have the statement of traffic both ways, our purchases overseas and our sales overseas, set out as a balance sheet in a form which is comprehensible to this House instead of the obscurity—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. This is a Question about attachés.
§ Sir G. NabarroOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not the fact that half way through my supplementary question, when I was being interrupted from the benches opposite, I referred to attachés 493 and their duties in the United States of America? Is that not directly related to the Question?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe mere mention of the word "attachés" did not bring the hon. Member's question into order.
§ Sir Harmar NichollsOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Whilst one can understand there being some reluctance to accept the length of that supplementary—
§ Sir G. NabarroWhat about the length of the Minister's?
§ Sir Harmar Nicholls—is not my hon. Friend entitled to a reply from the Minister?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have ruled on this. The hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) accepted my Ruling and the hon. Member for Peterborough (Sir Harmar Nicholls) should do the same.