HC Deb 23 May 1962 vol 660 c421
16. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Secretary of State for War, what were the quantities of arms and ammunition purchased from this country by the United States of America, by the European Economic Community countries and by the Commonwealth, respectively, in the last financial yeas.

Mr. Ramsden

I regret that these figures cannot be disclosed. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 4th December, 1956.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Would my hon. Friend agree that we are buying more arms and ammunition from abroad than we are selling?

Mr. Ramsden

I would make two points to try to reassure my hon. Friend. One is that the overall balance of these transactions is not unfavourable to us, and the other is that my right hon. Friend's main concern, as being responsible for the Army, is to get the best weapons and equipment that he can for the Army.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance to the House that in the various agreements we have made with our N.A.T.O. allies and E.E.C. countries, these reciprocal arrangements for buying and selling arms are being kept?

Mr. Ramsden

We are continuously keeping an eye on that position.