§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what measures he will take to ensure that the commercial interests of the British defence equipment industry are protected in programmes managed by the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency in Bonn; [21203]
(2) how many personnel of the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency in Bonn will be drawn from (a) the European Commission, (b) the Western European Union, (c) the French Government and armed forces, (d) the German Government and armed forces and (e) NATO; [21207]
(3) how many personnel from the Procurement Executive of his Department will be transferred to Bonn to work for the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency; and on what date their transfer will be effective; [21211]
(4) what proportion of the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency's budget in its first year of operation will be derived from (a) the British Government, (b) the French Government, (c) the German Government, (d) the European Union, (e) the Western European Union and (f) NATO; [21205]
(5) what is the name, rank, nationality and style of the first head of the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency in Bonn; [21204]
(6) what measures he will take to ensure the maximum export potential for tri-national defence equipment programmes managed by the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency in Bonn; [21202]
(7) if he will require the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency in Bonn to submit annual financial accounts to the British Parliament; [21206]
(8) what local overseas allowance personnel from his Department serving on the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency in Bonn will be eligible for; and what will be the total annual cost of this allowance. [21210]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotAs I announced on 13 March 1996,Official Report, columns 648–49, discussions with France and Germany on participation in the Franco-German Armaments Agency will commence following completion of work on the tender documents for the armoured utility vehicle. The agency's policy, staffing, and operating procedures remain to be determined in these discussions, as do the detailed management arrangements for any collaborative projects involved.
§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the multi-role armoured vehicle programme for the British Army will be managed by the Franco-German-British Armaments Agency in Bonn. [21209]
67W
§ Mr. ArbuthnotIt is not yet possible to determine in detail how the collaborative multi-role armoured vehicle programme will be managed under the auspices of the armaments co-operative structure.
§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the British industrial work loads and contract values of a multi-role armoured vehicle(a) procured solely from British manufacturers and (b) procured on a Franco-German-British basis. [21208]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe implications for British industry were taken into account in our decision to join the current competition which is planned to lead to a collaborative programme for a multi-role armoured utility vehicle. Industries of all three countries will take part on an equal basis, providing British industry with an opportunity to carry out a share of a substantial programme to meet the requirements of France, Germany and the UK for armoured vehicles. A competition to meet only the British requirement would not have been restricted to British manufacturers alone. The value of any contracts will depend on the outcome of competition.