§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report as full a summary of the provisions of the memorandum of understanding referred to in the answer of 20 November, Official Report, column 83, concerning the conventionally armed long range stand-off missile, as may be provided without prejudicing national security.
§ Mr. ButlerThe memorandum of understanding between the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany concerning a collaborative feasibility study of a long range stand-off missile system (LRSOM) provides that the objective of the programme will be to produce a joint report containing future programme recommendations for subsequent consideration by the participating Governments. This report will assess:
- (a) the operational, technical, financial and general feasibility of developing and producing a LRSOM to meet the NATO staff target;
- (b) the technical, financial, and general feasibility of undertaking development and production of a LRSOM on a multi-national collaborative basis; and
520 - (c) whether, if feasible, a multinational collaborative LRSOM would be worth while, compared with other options available to the participating Governments.
The memorandum of understanding also contains the detailed arrangements for management and financing of the feasibility study, contracting, information transfer, security and termination.
§ Mr. Harry Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish in the Official Report as full a summary of national studies of a conventionally armed long range stand-off missile referred to in his answer of 20 November, Official Report, column 83, as may be provided without prejudicing national security.
§ Mr. ButlerA summary of these studies could riot be published without prejudice to national security.