§ 32. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he anticipates announcing a decision about the replacement of the Sea King helicopter.
§ Mr. PattieAs was stated in the recent defence White Paper, final decisions have yet to be taken on whether to procure a new large anti-submarine helicopter to replace the Sea King. It is not clear whether such a project will in the end find a place in our defence programme, but meanwhile a programme of work continues in association with the Italians to explore both collaborative possibilities and potential civil applications, which industry believes to have attractive commercial prospects. A decision is not expected to be taken on the way forward until this work, planned to take several months, has been completed.