§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish in the Official Report the number of transactions that have taken place during the last five years involving the sale of military equipment to overseas nations by British manufacturers; and if he will list the recipient countries.
§ Mr. MeacherThis information is not available. But the total estimated value of defence exports over the last five years were given on 30th March 1976 by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Harrogate(Mr. Banks).—[Vol. 908, c. 439.]
§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Trade what surveillance procedure is undertaken before approval is given to the sale of armaments to overseas buyers by private firms in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MeacherApplications for export licences are considered individually in the light of the Government's policies towards arms sales which take into account the relevant political, strategic, and economic factors, both generally and in relation to particular overseas destinations.