§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many anti-tank missiles, combat aircraft, land-based helicopters, maritime helicopters, transport and supply aircraft, anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft missiles are to be introduced by NATO Eurogroup countries in 1977; and how many of these in each category are to be introduced for the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. GilbertMajor new equipment to be introduced by Eurogroup countries in 1977 is listed in the annex to the communiqué issued after the Eurogroup meeting on 6th December 1976, a copy of which is in the Library. We expect that the United Kingdom's contribution will amount to about a third of the total number of ships, nearly a quarter of the armoured vehicles, over a quarter of the helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and about half of the anti-aircraft systems. We are also responsible for many of the qualitative improvements which appear elsewhere in the annex to the communiqué. For further details I would refer the hon. Member to the forthcoming Statement on the Defence Estimates.