§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence in view of the high proportion of candidates accepted for commissions in the Armed Services educated at public schools, what steps he is taking to encourage applications from pupils at State schools.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe Armed Services encourage applications for commissions
Percentage of Department's textile purchases obtained from overseas Per cent. Length of material so purchased (metres/million) Value £ million Countries of origin 1974–75 … … 28.24 2.666 1.600 Hong Kong, France 1975–76 … … 3.27 0.589 0.229 Hong Kong, France 1976–77 … … 0.44 0.115 0.042 Hong Kong, France, Pakistan These overseas purchases were made in the majority of instances because of the absence of any United Kingdom offer to supply; the balance because either the specification or delivery requirements could not be met in the United Kingdom or because of an unacceptable price differential.