§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Government support was provided for British companies to attend the DSA exhibition in Malaysia in April. [128279]
§ Dr. MoonieConsistent with the Government's policy to encourage and promote the legitimate sales of defence equipment overseas, the Ministry of Defence's Export Services Organisation carried out its usual role in support of the exhibition and marketing of UK defence industry products at DSA 2000. This included assisting the Defence Manufacturers' Association to co-ordinate the UK industrial presence and providing advice to UK firms on export markets in line with the Government's responsible policy for arms exports.
In addition to the support provided by my own Department, a number of UK Companies exhibiting at the show were in receipt of grants under the Support for Exhibitions and Seminars Abroad scheme run by British Trade International, which is aimed at assisting companies with promotional activities at exhibitions and seminars abroad.