§ Lord Brockwayasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they or another place were represented at the conference in London on the export arms trade; what was its purpose; whether the United States defence establishment and European Governments were represented; if the latter, which; whether the arms industry was represented and, if so, from which countries; whether an increase of 56 per cent. in arms expenditure during the next 2 years was estimated; and what was the attitude of the British representative, if present, to this expanding trade, particularly to the third world.
§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Viscount Trenchard)I understand that a private company, specialising in industrial and commercial conferences, recently held a seminar in London on the subject of exporting defence-related equipment and technology. Attendance was apparently open to310WA interested individuals and organisations on payment of a fee. Her Majesty's Government were not represented. No other details are known about the seminar.