§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effects the EU proposals on the(a) harmonisation of European rules on procurement,(b) the simplified licence system to facilitate the circulation of components and defence equipment between EU countries and (c) the co-ordination of European research and development in defence industries will have on (i) UK defence industrial relations with the US and (ii) the proposed ITAR waiver. [130786]
§ Mr. IngramIn all of these considerations our overriding aim is to maintain effective relations on both sides of the Atlantic. At the same time, based on the Government's open and transparent defence industrial policy, we will continue to press for increased market access for United Kingdom defence companies in both the United States and Europe.
§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effects developments in the US Congress and Buy American proposals are having on the UK's negotiations with the US Government to secure an ITAR waiver. [130787]
§ Mr. IngramThe Government continues to do all it can to support the United States Administration in its scrutiny of the waiver for the United Kingdom from the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations. An amendment to the State Department Authorizations Bill, to support a waiver for the UK, is to be discussed in the autumn in Conference between the Senate and House of Representatives. It goes without saying that the Government would very much regret any attempt by Congress to impose damaging restrictions on the ability of UK companies to access the US defence market, which could only be detrimental to our mutual interests.
§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects negotiations with the US Government on an ITAR waiver for the UK to be concluded. [130788]
§ Mr. IngramNegotiations were completed with the US Administration in May 2003 on the text of an unclassified waiver for the UK from the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations.