asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government have now fulfilled the undertaking given to the Libyan Government in 1958 regarding the strengthening of the Libyan army.

As my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State informed the House on 16th December, 1958, Her Majesty's Government undertook to provide free of cost the small arms and light equipment necessary for an expanded Libyan Army of up to 5,000. The cost of certain items provided in accordance with this undertaking was met by the Foreign Office in 1959–60. A final shipment of arms, including a quantity of additional small arms which we have been asked to supply for the Libyan Armed Forces, will be delivered in the next few months, and Parliament will be asked in due course to vote a sum not exceeding £50,000 for this purpose by means of a Supplementary Esti- mate. In the meantime, an advance will be sought from the Civil Contingency Fund as appropriate.