HC Deb 26 January 1982 vol 16 cc734-5
5. Sir Anthony Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with progress towards standardisation of weapons and joint weapons procurement within the Western European Union.

Mr. Pattie

There has been substantial progress, but we must aim towards a greater degree of co-operation within Europe in weapons production and development. We are working with all the bodies concerned, and I hope that the WEU colloquium, to be held in London at the beginning of February, will also make a useful contribution.

Sir Anthony Meyer

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he agree that if there were more joint production and procurement of defence equipment the prospects, for example, for a European armoured fighting vehicle industry or for the European military aircraft industry would be infinitely better and that many more jobs would be available in this country and in other European countries than under the present half-hearted co-operation?

Mr. Pattie

I agree with my hon. Friend. Many people share his views in what I call philosophical terms. There is a danger that almost too many bodies are involved in trying to turn his general ideas into reality. The independent European programme group is one body that we feel holds out the best hope of achieving the type of results that my hon. Friend desires.

Mr. Jim Spicer

Does my hon. Friend recall that four or five years ago within the European Community a token entry was made for a research and development fund to be set up for helicopters? Will he undertake to have another look at that to discover why it died and, if possible, to resuscitate it, because clearly it is a matter in which we have a great interest?

Mr. Pattie

I remind my hon. Friend that the Italian and British industries are working together closely on a future replacement for the Sea King helicopter. That is largely covering the aspect that my hon. Friend has in mind.