§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects the mechanised combat vehicle to enter service; how many of such vehicles are on order; and at what unit cost.
§ Mr. PattieAs was announced in last year's statement on the Defence Estimates, full development of the MCV 80 mechanised combat vehicle has started. The planned in-service date is the second half of the 1980s. The number to be bought has yet to be decided and no vehicles are currently on order. At this stage it is not possible to give an estimate of the unit cost.