§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps her Department has taken to ensure that UK companies compete on equal terms for contracts in European national defence and aerospace markets; [48192]
(2) what steps her Department has taken to assist UK firms in the restructuring of the UK and European defence and aerospace industry; [48194]
(3) if she will ensure that all Government contracts affecting UK defence and aerospace companies are awarded within Europe solely on criteria of price, performance, quality and time scale. [48193]
§ Mr. BattleFollowing the trilateral statement by the Heads of Government of the UK, Germany, and France on 9 December, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I, and my officials, have held many discussions with the aerospace and defence industry, and with Ministers from other countries in support of the European industry's efforts to restructure.
I shall be meeting my industry Minister counterparts from five other European countries again in Paris on 9 July.
I also liaise closely on these issues with the other departments which are involved in restructuring.
We see the restructuring of the industry as vital to ensure that UK companies remain globally competitive, and we will seek to assist wherever possible. In carrying forward this work on restructuring, we shall certainly seek to promote fairness and transparency in procurement practices.
Specific issues relating to Government procurement contracts for aerospace and defence equipment services are largely a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.