§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the advantages of the retention of a United Kingdom based capability to manufacture nitroglycerine. [68077]
§ Mr. SpellarThere are nitroglycerine manufacturing facilities currently operating at the Royal Ordnance factories at Summerfield and Bishopton. The retention of an indigenous capability to manufacture multi-based ammunition propellants, of which nitroglycerine is a part, were considered very carefully as part of the Modular Charge System contract decision.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the management of British Aerospace concerning the maintenance of a nitroglycerine manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom. [68078]
§ Mr. SpellarMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has met with the management of British Aerospace on a number of occasions since May 1997. The maintenance of a nitroglycerine manufacturing facility in the United Kingdom has not been a topic of discussion.