HL Deb 09 May 1972 vol 330 cc900-1
LORD ORR-EWING

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the value in dollars of defence equipment bought from the U.S.A. in the period 1964 to 1971 and how does this compare with the value of defence equipment bought by the U.S.A. from the United Kingdom over the same period.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, in the eight financial years up to and including 1971–72 expenditure from Defence Votes for United States equipment is estimated at some 1,100 million dollars. In addition, repayments still outstanding from Defence Votes to the National Loans Fund for equipment delivered in this period are estimated at some 400 million dollars, including interest. The corresponding figure for exports of military equipment to the United States is some 230 million dollars.

LORD ORR-EWING

My Lords, in view of the very considerable imbalance against the United Kingdom, will my noble friend make these figures available to our diplomatic representatives in the United States, so that the case for buying Harriers and other equipment here, rather than manufacturing them in the United States, is made that much stronger?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I naturally agree with my noble friend that this is what we want to see happen. We have made strong representations to the United States in all these matters that we should have a share in any manufacture of any equipment of that kind. I can also assure my noble friend that I will draw the attention of my noble friend the British Ambassador to these figures.

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord how far the "Buy American" Act and the 50 per cent. special notional addition to the price of foreign equipment still applies in these matters?

LORD CARRINGTON

It does apply, my Lords. I think I am right in saying that in the case of defence equipment it is something in the region of 50 per cent. The large figures which I quoted to the House of 1,100 million dollars and 400 million dollars still outstanding are mostly in regard to the Phantoms and Hercules aircraft and Polaris submarines.