§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Horizon programme.
§ Mr. AitkenFollowing the signing of a memorandum of understanding in July last year, a joint project office was established in London in November of last year, to manage Project Horizon, the common new generation frigate, on behalf of the United Kingdom, France and Italy. Two international consortia are now being formed to conduct competitive project definition for the combat management system to be contracted later this year. And a competition is underway for the selection of the United Kingdom member for the international joint venture company which will design and build the three first of class ships, which we currently plan to enter service around the turn of the century.