§ Mr.Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been made of the possibilities of Airbus Industrie providing the aircraft for carrying early warning equipment and undertaking maritime patrol duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr.Lee[pursuant to the reply, 26 April 1984, c. 595]: There has been some preliminary thinking about replacement of our Nimrod MR and AEW aircraft when the time comes, but it is early yet for Ministry of Defence studies, and none has so far been set in hand. I understand, 411W however, that British companies, taking account of potential needs of other countries, have conducted some initial studies of the possible use of Airbus Industrie aircraft for airborne early warning tasks.