§ The Earl of Kimberleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether a decision now to buy Sea Eagle would safeguard the ship programme and enhance the export potential of both warships and British weapons.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Lord Trefgarne)The effects on the ship programme and export prospects are but two of a range of factors which we are taking into account in reaching a decision on the choice of a surface-to-surface guided weapon for the Royal Navy. Until a decision is reached it would not be appropriate to discuss in isolation the effects of individual factors.