HC Deb 06 December 1976 vol 922 cc16-8W
Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many persons were employed by the Defence Sales Organisation in 1966, 1971 and 1975;

(2) what proportion of the staff of the Defence Sales Organisation was working outside the United Kingdom in 1966, 1971 and 1975.

Dr. Gilbert

The Defence Sales Organisation was set up in 1966 and initially comprised 204 staff in the Ministry of Defence. Ministry of Aviation Supply staff were transferred to the Organisation in October 1971. The total number of staff was 375 in November 1971 and 397 in November 1975, of whom 11 and 13 respectively were working abroad, including local support staff.

The number of staff working abroad in 1966 is not available without a disproportionate amount of effort.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total administrative cost of running the Defence Sales Organisation for each year since 1966.

Dr. Gilbert

The estimated administrative cost of running the Defence Sales Organisation for each year since 1967–68 is as follows:

£ million
1967–68 0.732
1968–69 0.862
1969–70 0.925
1970–71 0.958
1971–72 1.174
1972–73 1.917
1973–74 2.115
1974–75 2.787
1975–76 3.484
The figure for 1966–67 is not available.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total value of sales of armaments through the Defence Sales Organisation in each of the years since 1966; and what is the projected figure for the year 1976–77.

Dr. Gilbert

The estimated total value of exports of Defence equipment by the Ministry of Defence in each of the years 1966–67 to 1975–76 and the projected figure for 1976–77 are as follows:

£ million
1966–67 50
1967–68 55
1968–69 71
1969–70 76
1970–71 78
1971–72 73
1972–73 92
1973–74 128
1974–75 147
1975–76 130 (Provisional)
1976–77 160 (Provisional)

The Defence Sales Organisation has also given assistance to private sector exports over this period.