§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 February, Official Report, column 460, what is his policy towards visits by United States officials to inspect the books of firms involved in the airborne warning and control system contract; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI refer the hon. Member to the answer on United States (Distribution Controls) given to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Meadowcroft) on 2 March 1987, col.528. The contract for the purchase of AWACS makes no provision for distribution licences to be used.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil on 27 February, Official Report, columns 459–60, whether the policy enunciated with regard to protection from United States extra-territorial closures for firms engaged in the airborne warning and control system contract applies equally to all other United Kingdom firms engaged in defence contracts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAs stated in my answer of 27 February 1987, col.459–60, Her Majesty's Government's policy has long been to reject any claims that United States laws and regulations can be applied to encroach upon United Kingdom jurisdiction.
The terms of the contract to purchase AWACS can apply only to the parties to that contract and to subcontracts derived from it.
Other defence contracts to which United Kingdom companies are parties will be negotiated in the light of our general policy.