HC Deb 13 March 1984 vol 56 c274
15. Mr. Sackville

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to make a decision on procurement of a ship-to-ship missile for the Royal Navy.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. John Lee)

Very shortly.

Mr. Sackville

In view of my right hon. Friend's recently announced plans for more common policy meetings between the services, does the Minister agree that it would be a step in the right direction for the Royal Navy to procure the same anti-ship missile system as the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm?

Mr. Lee

The excellent plans that the Secretary of State announced yesterday have no direct bearing on this competition. Obviously my hon. Friend is right in saying that communality plays a part in our procurement policy, but I remind him that air-launched Sea Eagle is in service with the Royal Air Force and the surface Harpoon and Exocet with the Royal Navy.