HC Deb 22 June 1966 vol 730 cc569-70
30. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what naval vessels have been purchased or ordered by India in the past three years from the United Kingdom.

Mr. Healey

None, Sir, but she is obtaining equipment from the United Kingdom for a number of Leander frigates to be built at Bombay.

Mr. Taylor

Does the Minister agree that there is a great desire by India to buy a large part of her military equipment from Britain and that it is being frustrated for various reasons? Will he review the various restrictions, official or unofficial, which are placed on the sale of military equipment to India?

Mr. Healey

I think that I am right in saying that the problem is not political restriction but the ability to finance sales of this nature.