§ Mr. MacFarquharasked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to stimulate European co-operation in defence equipment procurement: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyThe Government are playing an active part in the work of the independent European Programme Group established in February this year to increase European co-operation in defence procurement in the interests of the North Atlantic Alliance and to this end to promote collaboration among European defence industries; and to strengthen the European factor in relations with North America in defence procurement. The group, in which all the European members of the Alliance except Iceland participate, is acknowledged by all its members to be the main European forum for collaboration in defence equipment. After analysing national equipment programmes the European Programme Group has, in the course of the year, established 10 specialist groups to examine the collaborative prospects for specific items of equipment, including important requirements for future tactical combat aircraft and military helicopters. The group has also taken note of recent decisions by the United States Congress to relax the requirements of the Buy American Act 205W and the prospects that they offer for a more equitable balance between Europe and North America in this field; and it is to study ways to develop a fruitful trans-Atlantic dialogue on defence procurement issues.