§ Mr. Charles WardleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he had made in negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the United States for co-operation in the joint advanced strike technology programme; and if he will make a statement. [7806]
1174W
§ Mr. ArbuthnotNegotiations with the United States Department of Defence have been successfully concluded with the signature today of a memorandum of understanding on arrangements for United Kingdom participation in the JAST programme. A copy of the MOU will be placed in the Library of the House. The proposed JAST advanced short take-off and vertical landing aircraft offers a potential future carrier-borne aircraft to replace the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier in the second decade of the next century. Arrangements set out in the MOU provide significant opportunities for British industry in the JAST programme.