HC Deb 07 May 1986 vol 97 cc137-8W
Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed by the Defence Sales Organisation; and what proportion travel abroad in a representational capacity.

Mr. Lee

The Defence Export Services Organisation—previously called the Defence Sales Organisation—

analysis is of single people and married couples paying income tax in each year. The quantiles are determined by reference to tax liability. The figures are based on the surveys of personal incomes for years up to 1983–84. For subsequent years, they are based on projections from the 1983–84 survey and are therefore provisional.

currently employs some 260 staff including service personnel. Approximately 30 per cent. of these travelled abroad on business in 1985.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries which his Defence Sales Organisation has visited during 1985; and what were the total sales achieved during the year.

Mr. Lee

The countries visited on business by staff of the Defence Export Services Organisation during 1985 were as follows:

Algeria Kenya
Bahrain Kuwait
Belgium Malaysia
Brazil Netherlands
Brunei Oman
Cameroon Pakistan
China Qatar
Cyprus Saudi Arabia
Ecuador Singapore
Egypt Spain
Finland South Korea
France Sweden
Federal Republic of Germany Switzerland
Gabon Thailand
Greece Turkey
Hong Kong United Arab Emirate
India United States of America
Indonesia Venezuela
Italy Yugoslavia
Japan Zimbabwe
Jordan

The total value of receipts from exports of identified defence equipment in 1985 was £813 million.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is customary for the Defence Sales Organisation to inform the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation of its contracts and supply arrangements.

Mr. Lee

No.