HC Deb 11 December 1984 vol 69 cc418-9W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the RAF to start taking delivery of the JP 233 airfield attack weapon system; what is the total value of the contract; and when it is expected to be completed.

Mr. Butler

Deliveries of JP 233 to the RAF are planned to begin early next year and be complete by the end of 1988. The contract value cannot be stated for reasons of commercial confidentiality: contractual negotiations for fixed prices are still in progress.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to encourage the United States Government to purchase the JP 233 airfield attack weapon system or to arrange for its production under licence in the United States of America.

Mr. Butler

Since the United States withdrew from a joint United Kingdom-United States development programme for JP 233 in 1981, Hunting Engineering Ltd. the prime contractor, has been fully supported by the Ministry of Defence in the marketing of the JP 233 weapon system in America.

It remains uncertain whether the United States air force will procure the complete JP 233 system. However, there is serious interest at the sub-system level.

The MOD will continue to assist Hunting Engineering and the other United Kingdom contractors involved in the programme in the promotion of the JP 233.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to exploit the export potential of the JP 233 airfield attack weapon system.

Mr. Butler

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to his earlier question as regards exploitation of the weapon in the United States. My Ministry has also given the manufacturer approval and encouragement to promote sales to a number of other countries.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs in the United Kingdom are estimated to be involved in the production of the JP 233 airfield attack weapon system.

Mr. Butler

At peak production levels the project is expected to provide direct employment for about 4,000 people in the United Kingdom.