§ The Earl of KINNOULLasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the United States Government have recognised their responsibility and duty to provide a point defence system for their United Kingdom air bases; and what progress is being made on the American Rapier contract.
§ Lord STRATHCONA and MOUNT ROYALThe operational case for improving the point air defence of the air bases which the United States Air Force occupy in this country is recognised by the US Government. Rapier is accepted as a cost-effective means of meeting this task and we are hopeful that it may be possible to go ahead with the procurement of the system this year provided the programme is funded by Congress.