§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the total value of business potentially lost to British firms excluded from tenders for future military equipment orders from Chile, following the arrest of General Pinochet. [HL280].
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe are not aware of any British firm being excluded from any formal competition or tender process for future military equipment orders from Chile. As my noble friend Lord Hoyle indicated in his Answer to the noble Lord on 11 January (Official Report, col. WA5), the defence export market is a long-term one and it remains difficult to make a measured assessment about the extent of any impact following the arrest of General Pinochet.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Royal Navy has had its use of Chilean ports or berthing facilities restricted or changed in any way since the arrest of General Pinochet. [HL462]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe Chilean Government has not informed us of any restrictions on visits by Royal Navy ships to Chilean ports, or of any restrictions on access to berthing facilities.