HC Deb 21 June 1994 vol 245 c119
14. Mr. Hutton

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about progress towards common European defence procurement.

Mr. Aitken

Progress towards a common system of European defence procurement has been slow, but we work closely with individual European partners on specific collaborative projects.

Mr. Hutton

I acknowledge the benefits of European defence collaboration in projects such as the common new generation frigate programme and the Eurofighter programme, but will the Minister make it his policy to ensure that any moves towards greater European defence procurement will not be at the expense of further erosion of our defence industrial base, especially the shipbuilding sector?

Mr. Aitken

I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman that the first requirement for defence procurement decisions must be our national security and our national interests—and we will stick to that.

Rev. Martin Smyth

Does the Minister agree that some of us used to love playing with paper aircraft, and that when he referred to a paper plane earlier, he meant a plane on paper? Will he assure the House that no decision will be taken on replacing the transport until FLA has been properly evaluated?

Mr. Aitken

We are certainly receiving a great deal of information on possible plans for the future large aircraft, but we must bear in mind the fact that the replacement of our transport fleet—certainly the first tranche—will be necessary before the future large aircraft is likely to have come into existence. That may depend on whether we can choose the refurbishment option or a new-buy. Whatever happens, FLA will not be ready for the first tranche of our fleet replacement.