§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the amount of the defence budget allocated to research and development into anti-submarine warfare; and, of this sum, how much is spent on 442W detection device and the development of weapon systems, respectively.
§ Mr. SpeedExtramural research and development on major anti-submarine warfare projects during the financial year 1979–80 is estimated at about £110 million at September 1978 prices. Associated intramural expenditure is not readily identifiable. It would not be in the public interest to disclose the amount spent on weapon systems and detection devices respectively.
§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of internatonal technological developments in the field of anti-submarine warfare and detection.
§ Mr. SpeedThe United Kingdom is acutely aware that there is continuous development worldwide in anti-submarine warfare and detection, and so are our NATO and Commonwealth counterparts. We are joined with our allies in a number of collaborative information exchange projects and bilateral arrangements covering all aspects of anti-submarine warfare, as well as conducting our own programme of research—both in industry and its the research and development establishments into this area of crucial strategic importance.