§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, pursuant to his answer of 21 May, Official Report, c. 146–47, he is satisfied that there is no formal obstacle in the United States of America to the full achievement of offset arrangements with that country.
§ Mr. PattieYes. It would be quite wrong of the MOD to enter into an offset deal unless it was satisfied on this score. Thereafter the Department's task is to ensure that full opportunities are given to United Kingdom industry to bid for work. To win orders, however, United Kingdom firms must prove themselves competitive with their United States counterparts.