HC Deb 08 November 1979 vol 973 cc261-2W
Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent discussions he has had with the Ministers of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany and France, with particular reference to the prospects for co-operation on long-range anti-tank weapons and a new generation of tactical aircraft.

Mr. Pym

I met the French and German Defence Ministers in Hamburg on 15 and 16 October to discuss a number of equipment matters. In particular, we discussed possible collaboration on a future tactical aircraft and welcomed the examination the industries of the three countries are now making of the way in which such an aircraft might meet national requirements. We also signed a memorandum of understanding for a new phase of collaborative work in the antitank field which will carry into the next generation of weapons the trilateral co-operation now existing.