§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent to date by the United Kingdom on the Typhoon programme, including the Experimental Aircraft Programme; and what expenditure is planned in each of the next 10 years, in cash terms. [175342]
§ Mr. IngramThe United Kingdom Ministry of Defence spend on Typhoon up to 31 March 2004 is some £9 billion. This excludes expenditure on the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP), which was a precursor to the Eurofighter programme. These costs are not readily available and I will therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Funding is allocated for in-year expenditure only. Provision for future years' expenditure is made in the annually revised Equipment Plan. In the case of Typhoon, the allocation for equipment acquisition for 2004–05 is £783 million.