HC Deb 26 October 1988 vol 139 c279W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if discussions with France over the joint Franco-British development of a new air-launched stand-off nuclear missile system are still continuing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

We are continuing to study a number of options for the replacement of the United Kingdom's free-fall nuclear bomb. A collaborative approach to the development of a successor system remains highly attractive and we are keeping closely in touch with both the United States and French Governments. We expect our continuing discussions with the French Government to concentrate on the future potential of and developments in the technology associated with current systems.