asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will consult the appropriate trades unions on the effect of the moratorium on defence contracts.

I have had discussions with different sections of industry to try to find the least damaging way from their point of view to continue after the moratorium to control defence expenditure and to bring it in line with our cash limits. I hope to make an announcement very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether special consideration can be given to the operation of the Government's moratorium on defence clothing purchases in the assisted destroyed after six years. The evidence areas.

During the moratorium exemptions have been granted for certain purchases of defence clothing and some of the resultant orders have, or will, benefit firms in assisted areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the large increase in recruitment and the general need for more uniforms, he will end the moratorium on the purchase of Armed Forces clothing and allow a contract with Edegard Ltd. of White-haven and Workington to go ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the large increase in recruitment and the general need for more uniforms, he will will end the moratorium on the purchase of Armed Forces clothing and allow a contract with Edegard Ltd. of Whitehaven and Workington to go ahead.

A number of urgent clothing requirements have been exempted from the moratorium but these were not items which H. Edegard and Sons Ltd. supply. My right hon. Friend will shortly be making an announcement about what will follow the initial three-month period of the moratorium.