§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has come to a decision on the sale of Royal Ordnance, Bridgwater to a French company. [54920]
§ Mr. SpellarThe position remains as set out in my previous answer to the hon. Member on 19 December 1997,Official Report, column 383. The strategic implications of any joint venture between Royal Ordnance and an overseas company would be examined with great care as part of the consideration by the appropriate regulatory authorities.