§ Mr. Allan RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of the two contracts placed with Ferranti for the development of battlefield lasers capable of inflicting damage on optical sensors; when the contracts were placed; and if these contracts specify that the lasers should be capable of inflicting temporary damage to the human eyeball.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe contract placed wth Ferranti Defence Systems covers investigation of laser technology alone and does not specify the requirement to inflict any damage, temporary or permanent, on any sensor, including the human eyeball. The contract was placed in 1982 but its terms and value are a commercial matter between the Department and Ferranti.