asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects his Department will complete its evaluation of the new Vickers Valiant main battle tank.

At the request of the company, and at its expense, proving trials of the Vickers Valiant main battle tank are being carried out at Ministry of Defence establishments. A further report is due to be given to the company shortly.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply, but why is the Ministry of Defence carrying out these trials? Is the Department satisfied, or not, with the performance of Valiant?

The trials are intended to assist Vickers with its overseas sales efforts. Details of the results of the trials are of course confidential to the Ministry of Defence and the company, but I am sure that Valiant will admirably fulfil requirements in many parts of the world.