To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Belgian Government's refusal of permission for the supply of ammunition on a procurement order from his Department for use by British forces in Operation Granby.

Our initial request for additional ammunition was met in full by the United States, Germany and the Netherlands. We did not, therefore, need any ammunition from Belgium, which has provided assistance in a number of other ways. We are grateful to our allies for meeting our needs at such short notice.