HC Deb 28 March 1983 vol 40 cc24-5W
Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, of the total capital cost estimate for the Tornado, how much is the United Kingdom's share of development costs.

Mr. Pattie

It is not our practice to give details of project development cost estimates. However, the United Kingdom's share of the cost of the currently agreed tri-national Tornado programme, including development, will be some 47 per cent.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the most recent estimate of the cost to the United Kingdom for each Tornado aircraft, including support cost, weapons and spares; and what are the respective costs for the GR1 and F2 variants.

Mr. Pattie

it is not practicable to attribute the cost of weapons to aircraft on a unit cost basis. However, the most recent estimates of the unit production costs to the United Kingdom of the Tornado GR1 and F2 aircraft, excluding support, weapons and spares, are respectively £13 million and £16.8 million at September 1982 economic conditions. These figures are comparable with estimates of unit costs given previously in answers to parliamentary questions.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the capital cost of the Tornado project has been or will be incurred (a) up to 1981–82, (b) in 1982–83, (c) in 1983–84, (d) in 1984–85 and (e) from 1986 onwards.

Mr. Pattie

The costs to the United Kingdom of development and production for the tri-national Tornado project are expected to be incurred in the following proportions:

Per cent.
(a) up to 1981–82 49
(b) 1982–83 9
(c) 1983–84 9
(d) 1984–85 8
(e) 1985–86 onwards 25

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the most recent estimate of the cost for the United Kingdom share of the Tornado project as set out in the statement on the Defence Estimates 1982.

Mr. Pattie

The figure of £11,300 million at September 1981 economic conditions quoted in the 1982 statement on the Defence Estimates remains the most recent estimate of the cost to the United Kingdom of the Tornado project on the basis set out in that statement.