§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many howitzers currently in service with the Army will be replaced by the new 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe competition for the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer remains in progress. No decision has yet been taken.
§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the next generation of self-propelled howitzers will be nuclear capable; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether all types of self-propelled howitzers currently being assessed are able to fire all types of NATO issued 155 mm nuclear shells; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. SainsburyAll the contenders in the self-propelled howitzer competition should be compatible with a wide range of 155 mm artillery rounds in use in NATO, both conventional and nuclear.
§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date the next generation of self-propelled howitzers will be in service with the Army.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt is envisaged that the winner of the current competition for a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer for the Army will enter service before the mid-1990s.
§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the contract for the self-propelled 70 turret was awarded to Vickers Defence Systems; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyWork on the turret for the SP70 propelled howitzer programme which was allocated to the United Kingdom, was placed with Royal Ordnance, in accordance with the industrial work sharing arrangements which were agreed between the participating nations.
§ Mr. Sean HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to order 155 mm self-propelled howitzers for the Army.
§ Mr. SainsburyOur current intention is to reach a decision on the 155 mm SP howitzer competition in the spring of next year.