How bigoted...!!!
@James
"Handing over mission critical development to a remote location, in a different culture, seems to me to be asking for problems. How do you control IP? Security? Basically - you can't."
You make it sound as if you are the only 'professional' in the world who is capable of doing the job correctly. Ultimately outsourcing is nothing but a contract and is a business. If you in this 'culture' are so smart you should be able to competently manage that and pick out competent partners from the world stage. Else that speaks volumes about your management skills and ethics. You can control anything if you plan accordingly.
"A bit like asking all those great programmers in China to develop Britains defense software ("well, they were the cheapest quote, sir!")."
And if you reverse the question why should the rest of the world trust you and your (defence) products. Does your military have a halo over their heads and angel wings?!!!
"and pay them what they are worth. This should usually be on a par with the directors and board members!!"
I am sure there are a few whizkids(again worldwide and not just here) who are worth the cost, but its probably the high cost of recruiting the rest of the not so clever ones and their high expectations which is driving outsourcing anyways. If your gonna recruit a bunch of average people why pay the moon for them.