§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he wi11 make a statement about the P110 and agile combat aircraft projects;
(2) what discussions he has had with his German and Italian colleagues about the agile combat aircraft project.
§ Mr. Pattie:Industry's P110 proposals have now been superseded by those for an agile combat aircraft, on which I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Sir P. Wall) on 18 October 1982.—[Vol. 29, c. 47.]
My right hon. Friend has had no discussions himself with his German and Italian colleagues on the agile combat aircraft. Initial discussions between officials and other Ministers have, however, already taken place. My right hon. Friend made it clear that he hopes that European partners who face needs similar to our own to resolve future advanced technology issues might feel able, either nationally or industrially, to join and share in the work which we are to undertake with industry on an experimental aircraft programme.