§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future development of the Franco-British anti-air warfare frigate.
§ Mr. AitkenA preliminary co-operative phase for a common Franco-British AAW frigate, to enter service early in the next decade, was launched in November 1991 and is due to conclude in the autumn of this year. I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the French Minister of Defence, Mr. Pierre Joxe and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence have recently agreed proposals for the procurement and project management of project Horizon, as it is now termed. Discussions are continuing with Italy. The three chiefs of staff of the French, Italian and Royal Navy signed a joint staff requirement for the frigate in December 1992.