§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the area defence weapon is due to enter service. [1074]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotCurrent plans are to introduce an area defence weapon in the first decade of the next century. However, we are currently considering our future requirements for this nature of weapon and no firm decisions have been taken. Any such weapon introduced into service would have a self-destruct or self-neutralising capability and would fully meet the requirements of the international laws of armed conflict.