§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent there will be fewer Lightning fighters in service than was originally intended as a result of the decision not to proceed with the formation of the third squadron; how much of the money spent or committed on this squadron will no longer be needed; and what will be the savings from the decision not to proceed.
§ Mr. PattieAs my right hon. Friend indicated on 20 January, we now plan to find the equivalent of a further squadron from an augmented Lightning training unit, so that in an emergency planned fighter numbers should be maintained. None of the modest amount of money so far spent on establishing the third squadron will be wasted, but we shall save a substantial part of the £30 million that an extra squadron would have cost over the next five years.