§ 11. Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of British aerospace exports in 1971.
§ Mr. OnslowFigures published in the December, 1971, issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics show that exports of aircraft, engines and parts—excluding second-hand aircraft—totalled £303 million.
§ Mr. SkeetWill my hon. Friend affirm that these excellent figures have continued into January and February, 1972, and will he affirm also that they are due to work or projects started under the Conservative Government of 1959–64, and that very little has occurred since?
§ Mr. OnslowI am very hopeful that the level will be sustained and even improved over the next few years. Obviously, export orders for aircraft depend upon decisions taken some time ago, and I am bound to reflect that if the TSR2 had not been cancelled the figures might have been even better.