HL Deb 11 May 2000 vol 612 c231WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent the United Kingdom's balance of trade is dependent upon the arms trade. [HL2277]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

According to figures published by the Ministry of Defence in UK Defence Statistics 1999, exports of defence equipment in 1998 were worth £3.5 billion, representing 2.1 per cent of total exports of goods. Imports of defence equipment were worth £1.9 billion, accounting for 1.0 per cent of total imports of goods.

Statistics on trade in defence related services are not available.