§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries from which buyers(a) have been and (b) will be invited to the defence systems and equipment international exhibition being held from 11 to 14 September. [2398]
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§ Dr. MoonieThe full list of countries from which Official Defence Delegations will be invited to attend the defence systems and equipment international exhibition 2001 is still being completed. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it has been finalised.
§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which days the defence systems and equipment international exhibition will be open to(a) overseas customers, (b) the press, and (c) the public; who will be opening the exhibition; if hon. Members will be invited to it; and which ships from (i) the Royal Navy and (ii) overseas navies will be participating in the exhibition. [2399]
§ Dr. MoonieThe exhibition is an international trade event organised by a commercial company. It will be open to overseas visitors and fully accredited members of the media from 11 to 14 September but will not be open to the public.
I understand that the exhibition organisers will be inviting a number of hon. Members. A final decision on who will be opening the exhibition has yet to be made.
It is planned, subject to operational constraints, for Royal Navy ships to be present. The organisers have also extended invitations to a number of overseas navies to participate.