Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Euclid programme for European collaboration on defence technology research; and what role and financial contribution will be made by the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SainsburyDefence Ministers, at their meeting in Portugal in June, agreed to launch a joint programme of research and technology in defence which will he called EUCLID (European co-operative long-term intitiative in defence). The programme which it is envisaged will start in 1990, enjoys full United Kingdom support and will be based on the IPEG's work to establish a European technology plan for a number of technology areas important to defence. More detailed proposals—including funding plans—will be submitted to IEPG Ministers at their next meeting in February 1990. Present plans envisage IEPG nations spending about 120 million ECUs (£80 million) per year on this initiative with a United Kingdom contribution in the order of £15 million. European industry will, in due course, be invited to put forward proposals to meet the research priorities identified in the programme.