HC Deb 08 June 1998 vol 313 cc421-2W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what rate commercial exploitation levies are normally levied against the export of defence equipment whose development has been funded by his Department. [44511]

Mr. Spellar

Commercial Exploitation Levy rates are negotiated case by case, either on the basis of fixed percentage rates according to the nature of the equipment, or through profit sharing schemes. Details of levy arrangements for individual equipments are commercially confidential, as are the amounts of levy received in respect of specific sales.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost to public funds for each year since 1990 incurred by branches of his Department other than DESO in the promotion of British defence exports; [44435]

(2) what was the cost to his Department of the attendance of (a) Ministers and (b) officials at defence and aerospace shows and trade fairs in each of the last eight years; what other costs were incurred in each year; and which bodies have funded these costs. [44437]

Mr. Spellar

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of the commercial exploitation levies paid by Vickers to the Government as a result of each of the contracts from the Government of Oman for the export of Challenger II tanks; and what percentage of the contract this represents. [44509]

Mr. Spellar

Disclosure of this information would harm the competitive position of contractors and I am therefore withholding it under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.