HC Deb 14 May 1991 vol 191 cc137-8W
Mr. Speed

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Anglo-French naval procurement co-operation.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

We place importance on Anglo-French equipment co-operation and continue to explore opportunities for collaboration. The United Kingdom is collaborating with France, Spain and Italy in the project definition phase of the family of anti-air missile systems to meet the air defence requirements of the replacement ship for the type 42 frigate. Joint discussions with France are currently taking place about the possibility of collaboration on the ship and its systems.