HC Deb 21 December 1984 vol 70 cc405-6W
Mr. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist British exporters in those parts of the United States civilian and military aircraft market which are at present closed to European imports.

(a) Intra Exports
Billion ECU's
Six months ending European Community United Kingdom Federal Republic of Germany France Italy Netherlands Belgium/Luxembourg Ireland Denmark Greece
September 1980 124.2 17.0 33.2 20.2 13.4 18.3 16.0 2.3 3.0 0.8
March 1981 131.2 19.1 34.2 21.3 13.4 20.4 16.5 2.2 3.3 0.9
September 1981 135.9 18.9 36.4 21.5 14.7 20.9 16.9 2.5 3.3 0.9

Mr. Channon

The European Community and the United States enjoy open access to each others civil aircraft market under the terms of the GATT agreement on trade in civil aircraft, to which both are signatories. British industry receives considerable support from the Ministry of Defence in marketing defence products in the United States, and, under the umbrella of the 1975 United States/United Kingdom memorandum of understanding relating to the principles governing co-operation in research and development production and procurement of defence equipment. British aircraft manufacturers have in 1984 obtained significant contracts from both the United States air force and navy.