Equipment Exhibitions (Hansard, 24 July 1989)

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visitors are expected to attend this year's Royal Navy equipment exhibition.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
Based on previous exhibitions, a total of some 25,000 people are expected to attend RNEE between 24 and 29 September.
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§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make it his practice to publish the names of countries invited to British forces equipment exhibitions.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
No. It has been the consistent policy of this and previous Administrations not to release details of invitation lists to British forces equipment exhibitions. Invitations are issued on a confidential basis and it would be a breach of trust to release names.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the total cost of this year's Royal Navy equipment exhibition.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
The cost of the Royal Navy equipment exhibition is estimated to he £2.4 million. As is usual practice, the costs incurred will be fully recovered from the participating companies.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and where the next Royal Navy equipment exhibition will be held; and on which dates it will be open to(a) overseas customers, (b) the press and (c) the British public.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
The next Royal Navy equipment exhibition (RNEE) will be held at Whale island, Portsmouth between 24 and 29 September 1989. Sunday 24 September will be the press day and the exhibition will be open to VIPs and overseas customers on 25 to 27 September. The remaining two days are trade days although overseas customers will still be welcome. The exhibition is not open to members of the public.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will perform the opening ceremony at this year's Royal Navy equipment exhibition.

§ Mr. Sainsbury
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is planning to perform this ceremony.