§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what implications further delay in the down select for the Joint Strike Fighter would have on(a) the timings and (b) the cost of the development and construction of the two future aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [157735]
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§ Mr. HoonThe procurement strategy for the carriers has been designed to ensure coherency with the future carrier borne aircraft project, and the decision on the selection of a JSF variant. The time and cost implications for the future aircraft carrier programme of a delay in the down select of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) would depend on the nature and length of any delay, and an assessment of its likely impact on both programmes.