Arms Sales

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Industry – in the House of Commons at 2:22 pm on 12 July 1995.

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Photo of Ian Taylor Ian Taylor , Esher 2:22, 12 July 1995

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman intended to pay us a compliment by calling us a regime, but judging by his other standards, he was not attempting to be friendly. As for the British manufacturing base, the efficiency and technical application of United Kingdom manufacturing has dramatically improved since 1979 and the defence industry has had a major positive influence on new management techniques and technological application. There is nothing to be questioned about whether this country should be selling manufactured goods. We have only 16 per cent. of the world market. I would like more, but our share shows that many other leading countries are also involved in arms sales. The key question is to whom we should be selling, not whether we should be selling.