§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the reasons for the delay in funding AST 403 since its publication in 1979, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButlerAST 403 (first revise) was cancelled last year. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be meeting his fellow Defence Ministers in Rome next month to review the results of a feasibility study by industry of the viability of a collaborative programme for a European figher aircraft programme, and to consider the way ahead.
66Wbeen taken on the precise method or timing of the injection of private capital, although our preferred option remains to float the company as a whole.