§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the value of defence equipment work completed for the Ministry of Defence (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas for each year since 1974;
(2) what was the cost of importing military equipment for Ministry of Defence use, and what proportion of the defence budget such equipment represented in each year since 1974.
§ Mr. Ian StewartInformation is not available to answer either of these questions in the form required. However, in the late 1970s about 15 per cent. of the equipment budget was spent on collaborative projects, about 10 per cent. was spent overseas, with the remaining 75 per cent. going on national contracts placed with British industry. More recently the overseas percentage has dropped to about 5 per cent. with a compensating increase in United Kingdom expenditure.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimate of sales of surplus military equipment for each year since 1974; and what percentage of total sales this represents.
§ Mr. Ian StewartSales of surplus military equipment overseas over the period 1974–75 to 1982–83 amounted to just over £50 million. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by year. These sales represent about 2 per cent. of Government defence sales overseas in this period.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence which countries are involved in current collaborative projects and on which projects (a) on ships and equipment, (b) on aircraft and aircraft weapons, (c) on aircraft electronics; and if he will also list prospective collaborations.
§ Mr. Ian StewartCurrent collaborative programmes at the development stage and beyond in these areas, in which the United Kingdom is a partner, are as follows:
Ships and Equipment
- Ikara—United Kingdom/Australia.
- Sea Gnat—United Kingdom/Denmark/United States.
- Naystar — United Kingdom/Belgium/Canada/Denmark/ France/Germany/Italy/Netherlands/Norway/United States.
Aircraft and Aircraft Weapons
- Jaguar—United Kingdom/France.
- Tornado—United Kingdom/Germany/Italy.
- Harrier GR5—United Kingdom/United States.
- Puma—United Kingdom/France.
- Lynx—United Kingdom/France.
- Gazelle—United Kingdom/France.
Electronics—Aircraft
- Barra—United Kingdom/Australia.
As a matter of policy we explore collaborative possibilities for all major new requirements. Immediate prospects include a new medium ASW helicopter and an advanced short-range air-to-air missile, on which initial studies have been successfully completed with Italy and Germany respectively.