HC Deb 21 July 1981 vol 9 cc155-6
11. Mr. McKelvey

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts for overseas sales of military equipment were signed during 1980; how many of those contracts were for sums in excess of £1 million; and if he will provide this information for the four previous years.

Mr. Nott

According to information available to the Ministry of Defence, the figures were as follows. The number of contracts signed from 1976 to 1980 were 186, 150, 123, 195 and 287. Contracts over £1 million were 79, 69, 71, 69 and 116.

Mr. McKelvey

Can the Secretary of State tell me how many of those contracts were for the supply of paramilitary or police equipment, and to which countries they were sent?

Mr. Nott

I cannot answer that question without knowing the specific point to which the hon. Gentleman is referring. However, as he knows, we examine every item of defence equipment sales on a case-by-case basis. We do not sell defence equipment to countries where we think it can be used for purposes of internal repression.

Mr. Jim Spicer

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, in view of the success of his recent trip to the Gulf, it is most important that we encourage people in the Gulf and similar areas to take up orders of that magnitude? Against that background, would it not be sensible for him to make early arrangements for the survey ship HMS "Herald" to proceed to the Gulf at the earliest possible opportunity to carry out the survey work which will do so much good in terms of Oman?

Mr. Nott

With regard to the first point, our forecast defence exports this year will probably be about £1½ billion, which is an increase of about 25 per cent. on the previous year. Those sales provide over 140,000 direct and indirect job opportunities in British industry, as well as giving economies of scale so that we can better afford to buy equipment for our own Armed Forces.

As regards HMS "Herald", I think that my hon. Friend is referring to a civil survey off the Oman coast.

Mr. Spicer

indicated assent.

Mr. Nott

A decision has recently been taken about that, but it may not yet have been announced.

Mr. Flannery

Have any of these armament contracts been made with the brutal dictatorships of, for example, Chile, Argentina or El Salvador?

Mr. Nott

I think that the hon. Gentleman is saying that he is against selling arms to Chile and other such countries.

Mr. Flannery

Dictatorships.

Mr. Nott

I regret that there are many dictatorships in the world, and if we sold defence equipment only to countries with our constitutional arrangements, our sales would be very small.

Mr. Flannery

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. My question was about three countries and the Minister has not answered it.

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order for me.