asked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish, in part or in whole, the Mensforth Report on the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich.

No, Sir. As stated by my right hon. Friend's predecessor and by my right hon. Friend on 10th April and 14th May, 1963, Sir Eric Mensforth was asked to give independent advice on the future of the Weapons and Fighting Vehicles Group of Royal Ordnance Factories which was currently the subject of Departmental examination. He did so confidentially and in a form not designed for publication as a self-contained report.

Nevertheless, is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is hard to believe that there is any serious objection, for instance, from the security angle, to the publication of this report? The Government have not made out their case yet for closing down the R.O.F. Would it not be fair to those concerned to show the reasoningbehind the decision?

No, Sir; there are strong reasons why the report as such should not be published. We have made out a very strong case, not only in my right hon. Friend's original statement but in the Adjournment debate which the hon. Gentleman was, unfortunately, prevented from attending.