HC Deb 12 February 1992 vol 203 cc550-1W
24. Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Britain's share of the Kuwaiti market since the end of the Gulf war.

Mr. Lilley

According to the information we have, Britain regained its pre-Gulf war OECD market share within two months of the end of hostilities. Our exports to Kuwait increased in value by nearly 30 per cent. in the second half of 1991 compared with the second half of 1989 (the most recent comparable period). United Kingdom companies gained at least £500 million worth of reconstruction business in Kuwait last year. The United Kingdom is now Kuwait's largest European supplier.