asked the Secretary of State for Defence what reciprocal tendering arrangements exist between the United Kingdom and other NATO countries relating to textiles for defence purposes.

There is none.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what cost and quantity of orders placed for web equipment by his Department during the last 12 months to the latest convenient date have been awarded (1) to United Kingdom manufacturers and (2) to foreign manufacturers.

In the period 1st June 1974 to 31st May 1975 ten contracts to the total value of £2 million were placed with United Kingdom manufacturers and one relatively small contract with a foreign manufacturer. It is not the practice of the Department to reveal the value of individual contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the grey cloth going into fatigue dress, battle dress and shirting purchased by his Department is woven in the United Kingdom.

The provision of the material required for fatigue dress is the responsibility of the contractors who supply these garments and we have no knowledge of their selected sources of supply. All the material required for shirting is woven in the United Kingdom. Battle dress is no longer issued to British Forces.