HC Deb 19 April 1988 vol 131 c427W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place the order for production of the second batch of Harrier GR5s.

Mr. Sainsbury

I am pleased to announce that, following the earlier announcement of the placing of orders for long lead items, an order is being placed with British Aerospace for the production of a second batch of 34 Harrier GR5s, making a total of 96 ordered for the Royal Air Force. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 1990. the additional aircraft will maintain the Harrier GR5 force into the 21st century.