HC Deb 27 March 1990 vol 170 cc99-100W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has commissioned any studies into the effect on the European fighter aircraft project if the Federal Republic of Germany or its successor withdraws its support.

Mr. Alan Clark

No. My right hon. Friend and his German counterpart agreed on 22 January that there was a need for a modern fighter aircraft and the EFA was the best solution to meet the requirements of our air forces in the second half of the 1990s and beyond.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what indemnities he has signed or proposes to sign in favour of companies located in Federal Germany in relation to the European fighter aircraft; if he will place copies in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

The arrangements for companies involved in the EFA programme are contained in the development MOU signed by all the four participating nations in November 1988.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he has commissioned into the requirements of the Royal Air Force in the event of the European fighter aircraft being cancelled.

Mr. Alan Clark

We do not expect the European fighter aircraft programme to be cancelled.