HC Deb 09 December 1986 vol 107 cc143-4W
41. Mr. Favell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the level of defence exports in 1985.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Exports of British defence equipment have risen strongly in recent years, at a rate of about 12 per cent. per annum in real terms. Orders reached £2.9 billion in 1985, representing over 5 per cent. of British manufacturing exports and accounting for some 120,000 jobs in many of the most advanced technologies. Action by the Government has helped to improve the competitiveness of the industry and performance is continuing to improve; including the sale of aircraft to Saudi Arabia, the value of contracts signed in 1986 is currently expected to be in the region of £5 billion.

42. Mr. Hayward

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the level of defence exports in the current year.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Favell) earlier today.

44. Sir Antony Buck

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the future of the defence export sales organisation.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The future of the Defence Export Services organisation is as bright as its past. Since it was set up in 1966 by the then Labour Government it has provided invaluable support to defence exports which sustain some 120,000 direct and indirect jobs in this country and which achieved overseas contracts worth some £3 billion last year. This figure does not include the massive Tornado contract in Saudi Arabia in which the DESO played and continue to play a crucial role. It would in the view of this Government be economic madness to do other than to continue with this organisation and its good work.