§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition. [45141]
§ Mr. SpellarFollowing consultations with the UK Defence Trade Associations, we propose to change the future arrangements for the exhibition of naval and land systems equipment. In future, the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition will be replaced by an international defence exhibition, run by a professional exhibition company, in a partnership to be formed with the Trade Associations. Subject to the conclusion of satisfactory arrangements, including a decision on the venue, the first exhibition will be held in September 1999. The Ministry of Defence will ensure that the exhibition is run fully in line with Government policy on defence exports and MOD officials will be closely involved to ensure that comprehensive security and emergency arrangements are in place. The move to an international format reflects the wide involvement of UK industry in collaborative projects and joint ventures and the Government's encouragement of these trends.