§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the costs of the RAF mission to Malaysia to assist in the sale of Tornado aircraft.
§ Mr. Archie Hamilton[holding answer 20 June 1990]: I assume that the hon. Member refers to the deployment of six RAF Tornadoes to Malaysia in March 1990. The purpose of this deployment was to participate in an integrated air defence system exercise under the auspices of the five power defence arrangement with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The opportunity was also taken to promote wider British interests in the region, including defence sales, through a number of visits and presentations. I regret that a total cost for this deployment to the far east is not available and could not be provided without disproportionate effort, but all costs were met from within existing RAF allocations apart from a contribution of £40,000 from United Kingdom industry in recognition of the defence sales benefits of elements of the deployment.