§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the overrun in the Nimrod airborne radar programme; and how many months this programme is behind schedule.
§ Mr. ButlerBecause of difficulties with the radar, the Nimrod AEW aircraft did not enter service in 1984 as we had announced in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1984" (Cmnd 9227-I). We are assessing the various options for bringing the project to completion. Until a way forward has been agreed, it is not possible to determine by how much in real terms the project will exceed original estimates, nor by how long the programme as a whole will be delayed.