§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cause of the 183.2 per cent. increase in the projected development cost of the Rapier field standard B system noted on page 23 of the minutes of evidence of the Public Accounts Committee, HC483, Session 1988–89.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe Rapier field standard B programme now comprises two distinct marks of equipment, known as FSB1 and FSB2. Both are included in current estimates of development cost, whereas the original development estimate comprised only FSB 1. The addition of FSB2 explains the bulk of the increase; the remainder is due to increases in the cost of FSB1. 'The Public Accounts Committee also reported a decrease of almost 26 per cent. in production—where the bulk of the cost lies—for field standard B projects which means that the total cost of development and production for field standard B has increased by 38 per cent. in real terms.