Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 September 2003. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 September 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 14th July, columns 47-8W, how many meetings were attended by his Department's Ministers to promote the export of British defence equipment with officials from (a) Chile, (b) India, (c) Singapore, (d) Czecho Republic, (e) Slovakia and (f) Tanzania in (i) 2002 and (ii) 2003; what equipment was discussed; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 14 July 2003, Official Report, columns 47-48W, how many meetings were attended by his Department's Ministers to promote the export of British defence equipment with officials from (a) Chile, (b) India, (c) Singapore, (d) Czech Republic, (e) Slovakia and (f) Tanzania in (i) 2002 and (ii) 2003; what equipment was discussed; and if he will make a statement. [127657] Mr. Straw: Many of the occasions during which Ministers discuss UK-origin defence equipment with representatives of foreign governments do not form part of formal meetings. It is not therefore possible to provide figures about the number of meetings concerned. Disclosure of the types of equipment concerned may infringe on commercial confidentiality or provide sensitive information on the defence procurement strategies of foreign countries. I am withholding this information under exemptions 1 and 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 127657; 410 c282W;410 c322W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Arms trade Czechia Defence equipment Exports India Ministers Slovakia Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chile Singapore Tanzania Trade promotion
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk