§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many mechanised combat vehicles are likely to be ordered; what is the estimated cost of each vehicle; what is the estimated cost of the total programme; and what is the planned into-service date.
§ Mr. GoodhartMCV80 is due to enter service from the mid-1980s onwards. The number which will be ordered has yet to be finalised. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement which my right hon. Friend the present Leader of the House made to the House on 14 July 1980 about the estimated cost of the replacement programme. At such an early stage of development it is not possible to give a firm unit cost.