Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 November 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will estimate the proportion of military attaches' time allocated to promoting military exports; and if he will indicate what priority this is given in their job description. - Inc figure.

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the proportion of military attaches' time allocated to promoting military exports; and if he will indicate what priority this is given in their job description. [140460] Mr. Spellar: Support to the Defence Export Sales Organisation (DESO) is one of the core functions of an attache. However, the priority given in their job description varies according to the export prospects in the host country. Defence Sections in embassies and High Commissions are set annual objectives that reflect British interests in that country. A survey of attache output in Financial Year 1999-2000 revealed that, on average, 11 per cent. of attaches' time was devoted to supporting DESO.

Secondary information