HL Deb 04 November 1993 vol 549 cc142-3WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why they will not publish a list of those countries invited to visit and purchase at British arms fairs, and why those invited include countries subject to United Nations embargoes.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)

It has been the consistent practice of successive administrations not to release details of invitations to attend British Forces Equipment Exhibitions. Invitations are issued on a confidential basis and it would be a breach of trust to disclose details.