§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been allocated by his Department for the Military Flying Training System programme; how much he expects this programme to cost; and when he expects to be able to make a full financial commitment. [119184]
§ Mr. IngramFunding is allocated for in-year expenditure only. Provision for future years' expenditure is made in the annually revised Equipment Plan. In the case of the United Kingdom Military Flying Training System, the allocation for equipment acquisition for 2003–04 is £9.5 million. The total estimated cost of the programme is some £12.5 billion. The MFTS programme is currently in its assessment phase. Subject to the necessary Main Gate approval, the project is currently planned to proceed to its next phase in 2006. Full financial commitment will not be made until after Main Gate approval.