HC Deb 20 December 1994 vol 251 cc1193-4W
Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about his Department's involvement in the international arms trade.

Mr. Freeman

The United Kingdom involvement in the international arms tradeis strictly controlled by Government policy which takes account of our defence and international obligations. The Defence Export Services Organisation within my Department exists to help UK defence industry market and sell its products and services overseas. 1993 was a record year for British defence equipment manufacturers—winning orders worth some £7 billion. It is still too early to say how successful 1994 has been.