§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the facilities available in the United Kingdom for the manufacture of small arms nitro compound; from which foreign countries it is imported; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. AitkenMy Department does not purchase small arms ammunition propellant separately but procures the complete ammunition round from a prime contractor. It is for the prime contractor to decide on the source of the propellant used in his ammunition and to ensure that it meets the appropriate technical and performance standards. The capability to produce nitro-cellulose and nitroglycerine for small arms ammunition does exist in the United Kingdom.