§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the principal export markets for British military sales; and what is the Government's strategy for promoting exports to them. [29196]
§ Mr. SpellarThe principal markets for UK defence exports are in The Gulf, Asia Pacific and North America. The Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) of my Department has developed, with industry, a five year Strategic Plan which identifies within these regions the top 22 markets and also the major prospects and sets out how Government and industry will work together to win business. This Plan is fully consistent with our foreign and security policy our international obligations and with Government Commitment to a strong defence manufacturing industry. It has helped DESO and companies to organise their resources more effectively and is improving our national performance in winning export orders which increased by 10 per cent. in 1997 compared with 1996.