§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the European fighter aircraft.
§ Mr. AitkenThe European fighter aircraft development programme continues satisfactorily. Over 250 of the 285 equipments for EFA have now been selected. The aim is that the first prototype will fly later this year. In the meantime, industry is preparing revised quotations for the production investment and production phases of the programme against the background of a directive by the four partner Governments that costs must be reduced to the absolute minimum. Discussions with the other partner Governments are continuing. Decisions on whether to proceed to the next programme phases do not need to be taken until mid-1993.