§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was his Department's allocation, in each of the last five years, to that part of the British Overseas Trade Board charged with encouraging arms sales to countries in the Gulf.
§ Mr. SainsburyNone. The British Overseas Trade Board has no remit specifically to promote defence sales and there is no part of the board charged with encouraging arms sales.
§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the budget allocated by the British Overseas Trade Board for exporters of military equipment taking part in past arms fairs in Baghdad, Iraq for(a) travel, (b) accommodation, (c) exhibition stands, (d) shipping costs and (e) in total; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyMy Department has never provided financial support for companies attending the Baghdad arms fair.
§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the budget allocated by the British Overseas Trade Board for exporters of military equipment taking part in (i) Dubai '91, (ii) Arabian security and technology exhibition, Riyadh, September 1991, (iii)598W International Defence Equipment and Aviation, Ankara, 13 November 1991 and (iv) Middle East defence exhibition, Bahrain 1992 (a) for travel, (b) for hotel or accommodation, (c) for exhibition stands, (d) for shipping costs and (e) in total; and if he will make a statement as to the entitlement of exhibitors to apply for a share of that money.
§ Mr. SainsburyThere is no separate budget for exporters of military equipment.
Support provided by my Department for companies participating in British groups at certain overseas trade fairs takes the form of the provision of stands at subsidised rates and contribution to the travel costs of up to two company representatives attending the fair. No provision is made for hotel or accommodation or for shipping costs.