§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will seek negotiations with the Government of the United States of America about the implications for the export to the United States of America of British military aircraft and aero engines of the specialty metals amendment to the Military Appropriations Bill 1983.
§ Mr. Ian StewartMy hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement will be discussing the issue with the United States Department of Defence during his current visit to the United States. Congress has waived the need for United States specialty metals to be incorporated in weapons and weapons systems procured under the "two way street". We await formal advice on how the waiver is to be interpreted, but if it imposes restrictions on the export of United Kingdom defence material to the United States under the "two way street" we will press for amending legislation to be introduced.