§ 18. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the sidearms used in the Services is manufactured in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. William RodgersAbout 12 per cent.
§ Mr. FarrI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Will he say why, when we have in this country a good supplier of revolvers who has met the requirements of many overseas Governments, such a small proportion of our requirements is met by that supplier? Has the firm ever been sent a specification of Ministry of Defence needs?
§ Mr. RodgersI fully appreciate the hon. Gentleman's concern. The simple answer to the question is that the majority of these weapons in use fire standardised NATO ammunition dating from war time. Therefore the requirement that the hon. Gentleman suggests has not lately arisen.