HC Deb 05 June 1986 vol 98 c636W
Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what he attributes the delay in the placing of a contract by the pilot nation for the multi-launch rocket system phase 1 system; when he now expects this contract to be placed; what are the implications of the delay for the planned procurement of this system for the United Kingdom regiments; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

As reflected in the reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) on 30 January 1986, at column 630, the contract award was planned for May this year. As I announced last week, the contract was duly awarded by Germany, the pilot nation, on behalf of the European partners, to the Europaische Produktions Gesellschaft mbH (EPG) on Tuesday 27 May 1986.