§ Sir George YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the legality of joint weapons purchases through the West European Armaments Organisation and the Organisme Conjoint de Cooperation en Matière d'Armaments; and if he will make a statement. [13787]
§ Mr. SpellarI am aware that questions regarding the legality of these organisations were raised in recent media reports. I have no reason, however, to doubt that the arrangements envisaged are based on a sound legal footing.
§ Sir George YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of delivered military equipment between 1993 and 1996. [13788]
§ Dr. ReidStatistics relating to payments for delivered equipment, as distinct from payments for work in progress on equipment contracts, are not available centrally. "Defence Statistics 1997", a copy of which is in the Library of the House, shows that total expenditure on equipment, including research and development, over the period was as follows:
252W
- 1993–94: £9,200 million
- 1994–95: £8,819 million
- 1995–96: £8,537 million
- 1996–97: £8,460 million1
- 1Estimate—full details of final outturn are not yet available.
§ Sir George YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of offset agreements concluded to support military export sales between 1990 and 1996. [13792]
§ Mr. SpellarMost offset agreements are concluded by British companies and the Ministry of Defence does not hold comprehensive records of their value.
§ Sir George YoungTo ask the Secretary for Defence what is the value of current military equipment export orders. [13789]
§ Mr. SpellarIn 1996—the last year for which information is available—British companies won defence export orders worth £5.1 billion.
§ Sir George YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of offset agreements concluded as a result of United Kingdom purchases of foreign military equipment between 1990 and 1996. [13793]
§ Mr. SpellarThe value of UK offset, normally referred to as Industrial Participation, agreements concluded as a result of UK purchases of foreign military equipment between 1990 and 1996 is £4.4 billion.