| answer text |
<p> </p><p>The Eurofighter Typhoon programme is carried out in partnership with the
Governments of Germany, Italy and Spain. This includes cooperation on exports. The
Government of Belgium has expressed an interest in Typhoon as well as other competing
aircraft as a potential replacement for their F-16 fleet. UK Trade and Investment
have been invited, to participate in preliminary discussions at official level on
Typhoon. United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) officials are working with colleagues
across Government, in the partner nations and with Eurofighter GmbH to coordinate
a response.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Within UK Government work on Typhoon export
campaigns is led by UKTI, but HMG takes a collaborative approach to defence exports
and so all campaigns are a cross departmental effort. Information on staffing numbers
is not therefore available centrally.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Ministerial responsibility
for UKTI rests with my noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment
(Lord Livingston of Parkhead). My noble Friend reports to my Rt Hon Friends the Secretary
of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, as the two responsible Cabinet Ministers.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>Information regarding Ministers' meetings is published by the Department on
the internet: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=department-for-business-innovation-skills&publication_type=transparency-data"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=department-for-business-innovation-skills&publication_type=transparency-data</a></p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Minister of State for Trade and Investment discussed Typhoon
exports during his meeting with BAES on 18 December 2013. The Secretary of State for
Business Innovation and Skills has no immediate plans to meet his Belgian counterpart.</p><p>
</p>
|
|
