§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Technology whether, in view of the discrimination against British aircraft manufacturers in general and manufacturers of flight simulators in particular, because they have to pay Customs and tariff imports whereas their competitors in Commonwealth countries do not, he will meet representatives of the companies concerned to discuss these problems.
§ Mr. CarmichaelImport duty questions fall to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade but I am always ready to discuss problems of the industry.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Technology whether he will give for the longest convenient stated period the total amounts earned in foreign currency by manufacturers of flight simulators; what action he has recently taken to assist in the exports of this type of plant and equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarmichaelAvailable statistics do not give a detailed breakdown showing amounts earned in foreign currency by manufacturers of flight simulators, but our assessment is that exports of flight simulators and spares are currently about £6 million per annum.
The Department has been giving assistance to the manufacturers of flight simulators in their export activities in the defence field for many years.