§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what has been the interest in and what is the policy of his Department towards the counter-purchase arrangements between British Aerospace and Finland following the agreement to sell Hawker Siddeley Hawk aircraft to Finland; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldAs a condition of obtaining certain large and important export orders such as that of the Hawk, it is necessary for British suppliers to agree to some measure of counter-purchase. It is, of course, primarily the responsibility of the exporters concerned to dispose, either in the United Kingdom or in third markets, of the goods or services which may be offered as offset, but Her Majesty's Government have made it clear that they will give such assistance as they can to facilitate these arrangements where appropriate.