Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the implications of the Government's withdrawal from the NFR90 collaborative project;
(2) what assessment has been made of the need to replace the type 42 destoyer.
§ Mr. NeubertThe Royal Navy has a continuing requirement for a replacement for the type 42 destroyer to come into service at the turn of the century. Following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the NFR90 programme, we are now addressing how best to proceed with this requirement, including the possibility of alternative collaborative arrangements for elements of the programme.