§ Lord HILL-NORTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will state how much has been spent on the research design and development (including trials) of the future Main Battle Tank (now MBT 80), including its gun and ammunition, the main engine and the hull, since 1969; how much more is expected to be spent (at constant 1980 prices) until it is in the hands of troops; and how much per copy the complete new tank is expected to cost, if it is ever produced.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, MINISTRY of DEFENCE (Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal)It can be stated that it is expected by the end of the current financial year some £23 million will have been spent by the United Kingdom on research and development in aid of MBT 80 and the earlier concept work undertaken jointly with the Federal Republic of Germany on a possible collaborative main battle tank.
Included in the aims of the present phase of MBT 80 are a development cost plan and provisional production costs. Until this phase has been completed it is not possible to give a meaningful estimate of future costs.
House adjourned at twelve minutes before seven o'clock.