§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made with Her Majesty's European Allies for the stockpiling of strategic commodities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PymThere are at present no arrangements with our European allies for the stockpiling of strategic commodities, except for war stocks, which include holdings of fuel reserves. The subject has been discussed on a number of occasions within NATO, but only in an exploratory way, and there is at present no British requirement to stockpile raw materials specifically for defence purposes.