Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress arising from the772W third Anglo-French meeting on co-operation in procurement of military equipment held on 23 November; and if short and intermediate range nuclear weapon systems have been discussed at any of these three meetings.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Anglo-French conference which was held on 23 and 24 November covered air systems equipment. Previous conferences have covered land and sea systems. The conferences form part of an initiative aimed at increasing co-operation to avoid costly duplication of development effort in conventional equipment. Progress on this initiative has been good and a framework of administrative measures, including the publication of contracts bulletins in both countries, has now been established. Some contracts have already been signed and more tenders are under consideration on both sides of the Channel. No nuclear projects have been discussed.