§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of developing the Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge for the UK's Storm Shadow Cruise Missile. [104111]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 10 January 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence which sought information on the cost of developing the Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge for the UK's Storm Shadow air launched stand-off missile. This matter falls for answer within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The Augmented Charge was initially developed under private venture funding by Royal Ordnance. However, the adaption of this warhead for Storm Shadow is being undertaken as part of the Storm Shadow contract between ourselves and Matra BAe (Dynamics) UK Ltd. The Matra bid was submitted on a competitive basis, and we therefore have no visibility of the detailed cost breakdown of the warhead element.I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.