HC Deb 09 May 1967 vol 746 cc191-2W
Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to ensure that the £9 million of civil private purchases in 1967–68 set under the terms of the Tripartite Offset Agreement is not fulfilled by the inclusion of export transactions to Germany which he estimates would have occurred in any case.

Mr. Diamond

I would refer the hon. Member to the copy of the new Anglo-German Offset Agreement which has been placed in the Library, and particularly to Article 4 and paragraph 4 of the Annex. These provide that civil private purchases to be counted under the Agreement must be additional and must bring benefit to the British balance of payments. The Joint Committee of British and German Officials set up to administer the Agreement have to agree each case as conforming to these conditions.