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Mr. Hastings
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the extent of the dependence of the NATO defence industry on supplies of cobalt.
Dr. Gilbert
Cobalt is used in the production of high temperature components of aero-engines.
Mr. Hastings
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he proposes to do to ensure adequate supplies of cobalt (a) to the United Kingdom and (b) to NATO.
Dr. Gilbert
The maintenance of supplies of raw materials is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry. The Ministry of Defence is in close touch with the Department of Trade and the Department of Industry about the defence aspects of the supply of cobalt in current circumstances.