HC Deb 28 March 1988 vol 130 cc362-3W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the progress being made on the AWACS programme.

Mr. Sainsbury

The E-3 AWACS programme is progressing well. The RAF looks forward to receiving the first aircraft as agreed.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many jobs have been created in defence industries as a result of the Boeing AWACS offset arrangement and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many offset jobs have been initiated in civilian manufacturing industries as a result of the Boeing AWACS offset arrangement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

Boeing's offset obligation to the Ministry of Defence is a financial one and will be measured in terms of the value and quality of contracts placed. Although we would expect the net effect on job numbers to be favourable, the Department has never set a target for jobs.