§ 40. Miss Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give as much information as is consistent with commercial confidentiality and security practices relating to current running contracts for arms and ammunition of all types to be supplied by British companies to Chile.
§ Mr. MasonDetails of foreign Governments' purchases of defence equipment are regarded as confidential by our customers and publicity, if any, is a matter for them. Notwithstanding current interest in Chile, whose major contracts have already become known, it would be damaging to our future sales prospects worldwide if we were to depart from the principle of confidentiality.