HC Deb 10 July 1997 vol 297 c534W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 June,Official Report, columns 220–21, for what reasons (a) Algeria, (b) Belgium, (c) Russia and (d) Sri Lanka have not been invited to send delegations to the forthcoming Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition in Farnborough. [7324]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 8 July 1997]: Invitations to the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition are influenced by a number of factors including our perception of market opportunities for British defence companies as well as our political, strategic and security interests. Taking into account all of these factors, Algeria, Russia and Sri Lanka were not seen as priority candidates on this occasion; Belgium has now been invited.