asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will identify all designs in weapons systems rights, now possessed by Royal Ordnance plc and formerly possessed by the Royal Ordnance factories.

The rights referred to were transferred to Royal Ordnance plc by a scheme made under section 1 of the Ordnance Factories and Military Services Act 1984.The details now sought have not been published in full as I consider that disclosure would be contrary to national security or to the commercial interests of Royal Ordnance plc.