Tom Clarke
Main Page: Tom Clarke (Labour - Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)Department Debates - View all Tom Clarke's debates with the Department for Education
UK Trade & Investment
Tom Clarke Excerpts(11 years, 2 months ago)
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Daniel Kawczynski
Absolutely. I have agreed to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss those points further. SMEs will be critical in the renaissance of exports that we hope to achieve, and a little later in my speech, I will explain how they must play their part. I will not rest in probing the Government until we have achieved the position of fifth largest exporter in the world. I do not think that that is an unrealistic target.
Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab)
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, whom I thank for the work that he has done in the field and particularly for obtaining this debate. I rise because I have received a letter from a constituent who is concerned about the arms trade. To summarise her view, she wants much more transparency. Is that a point that he considered when preparing what appears to be an impressive document?
Daniel Kawczynski
This debate and the report focus predominantly on the general export picture, of which our defence exports are just one aspect. However, if the right hon. Gentleman stays until the end of my speech, he will hear a reference to arms exports.