HC Deb 13 February 1995 vol 254 c546W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many procurement programmes are currently being developed through co-operation between his Department and the French Government; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

I refer the hon. Member to the "Statement of Defence Estimates (SDE) 1994", table 8, which lists collaborative projects involving the United Kingdom.

Increases in the cost of developing and producing modern high technology equipment, coupled with budgetary constraints make armaments co-operation with other nations a vital component in meeting our future defence needs. We shall therefore pursue co-operation where this makes military and economic sense and we would expect France to be an important partner.