§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy towards increasing arms exports to(a) Asia and (b) the Pacific region; and if he will make a statement. [17521]
§ Mr. FreemanThe Defence Export Services Organisation has decided to direct additional resources specifically towards Asia and the Pacific region with the objective of increasing the United Kingdom share of the defence market—within, of course, the restraints of governmental and international policy.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what forms of government support are provided to British arms exports. [17526]
§ Mr. FreemanWithin the Ministry of Defence, support for defence exports is provided, primarily, by the Defence Export Services Organisation which exists to help British manufacturers market and sell their products abroad, complementing the wider range of services offered by the DTI. In addition to the DESO/DTI support, the Export Credits Guarantee Department makes available its range of export credit facilities to support defence sales.