§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what projects in defence research and development he is carrying out with Australia.
§ Mr. MasonThe United Kingdom cooperates with Australia in trials of guided and other weapons at Woomera. The Ikara anti-submarine weapons system is being modified collaboratively to meet R.N. requirements and the Mallard tactical trunk communications system is the subject of a joint venture with Australia, Canada and the United States. Trials of the Rapier anti-aircraft guided weapon will be undertaken with the Australian forces in Queensland and at Woomera. Under the Technical Cooperation Programme, Australia and the United Kingdom co-operate with Canada and the United States over a wide field of defence research and development, and the armies of the four countries work for basic standardisation under the ABCA agreement.