§ Mr. HaywardTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Kingswood of 11 March,Official Report, column 412, on the "Family of Weapons Memorandum of Understanding", if he will identify the factors which have given rise to the need to reconsider the status of the MOU with the United States Government.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe principal factors relate to changes in the international situation since the MOU was signed in 1980, and to progress made in developing the two weapon systems involved.
§ Mr. HaywardTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence further to his answer to the hon. Member for Kingswood of 11 March,Official Report, column 412, when the review of BAe's ASRAAM proposal will be complete.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkAny proposal made by BAe in response to the invitation to tender for solutions to SR(A)1234 will be evaluated along with other proposals received. It is too early to say when these evaluations will be complete.