§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Defence what has caused the delays in the signing of the airborne warning and control system contract; when he now anticipates that he will sign (a) the memorandum of understanding with the United States Government on airborne warning and control systems and (b) the offset contract with Boeing Corporation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere have been no delays. This is a major procurement and, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said in the House on 18 December 1986, at column 1350, it is subject to satisfactory completion of contractual negotiations with Boeing. It has always been our intention that the purchase will also be the subject of a memorandum of understanding between the United Kingdom and United States Governments. I expect that these agreements will be signed very shortly.