§ 44. Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on future helicopter procurement.
§ Mr. SainsburyI refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 9 April, at columns 470–1, about orders which, subject to the satisfactory resolution of contractual and other issues, he intends to place for the utility version of the EH101 and for Lynx and Sea King helicopters: we are discussing the details with Westlands Helicopters accordingly.
In addition, we are participating with Italy, the Netherlands and Spain in a two-year study into the feasibility and cost of developing the Agusta 129 to meet the future light attack helicopter requirements of the four nations: Industry began work on the study at the beginning of last month.