§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of developing the Chobham tank armour; and how much of this was shared with the United Kingdom's allies.
§ Mr. MulleyThe cost since the early 1960s amounts to some £6 million. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) on 23rd June 1976.—[Vol. 916, c. 522–3.]
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence when details of the Chobham tank armour were given to the USA and West Germany; and under what specific treaty obligations such details were given.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Defence under what agreement details of Chobham armour, developed to protect tanks, were given by the United Kingdom Government to West Germany and America.
§ Mr. MulleyOn several occasions between 1965 and 1968 the United States 273W Government was given general information about research in progress in the United Kingdom on a new form of armour. More detailed information was given in 1973. The information was provided in accordance with arrangements made by the two Governments in 1950 for a full and frank interchange of classified military information in the interests of both countries.
Details of the armour have been conveyed to the Federal German Government from 1972 onwards to facilitate joint studies of a future main battle tank.
§ Mr. Molloyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if. in view of the losses incurred since 1972. he will renegotiate the terms of the agreement involving the communication of details of the Chobham tank armour to Great Britain's NATO allies.
§ Mr. MulleyNo; nor do I accept the premise of the question.