§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make representations to the other partners in the Eurofighter consortium to proceed with the Eurofighter in the light of the policy committee decision.
§ Mr. SainsburyAs would be expected, my right hon. Friend frequently exchanges views with his colleagues in the other EFA partner countries and this dialogue is continuing as each of the partners proceeds with its national consideration of the launch of full development of the project.
§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the Eurofighter will be entirely European in design and content;
(2) whether there are any provisions to prevent American companies competing for Eurofighter contracts.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe involvement of companies from nations not participating in the European fighter aircraft is, in principle, permissible. In order to maximise the involvement of the participating nations, such companies would be encouraged to acquire a partner—or partners —from within these nations. As the equipments for the European fighter aircraft are to be selected as a result of competition, it is not possible to forecast what if any involvement of industries from non-participating nations there might eventually be.
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§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs he estimates would be created at British Aerospace by the purchase of 250 Eurofighter aircraft.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt is not possible at this stage to be specific about the number of long-term jobs which might be sustained at British Aerospace as a result of United Kingdom participation in the European fighter aircraft programme. However, it is clear that development and subsequent production of the aircraft would provide a significant programme of work well into the next century not only for British Aerospace but for the United Kingdom aerospace industry as a whole.
§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has of the potential for export of the Eurofighter.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt is too early at this stage to make firm forecasts of the sales of the European fighter aircraft. However, there is likely to be a big demand for advanced combat aircraft during the lifetime of the European fighter aircraft.