Harrier Gr5 Aircraft

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asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about orders for the Harrier GR5 aircraft.

I have recently authorised my Department to enter into commitments progressively in 1985–86 for some long lead materials and equipment for a possible

	1979–80	1980–81	1981–82	1982–83	1983–84	1984–85	1985–86
Public expenditure as a percentage of GDP^*	39½	42	43½	43	42½	43½	41½
Taxation as a percentage of GDP	35	36½	39	39	39	39	39
^* As shown in Chart 1.3 in Cmnd. 9428, updated by Table 5.1 in the 1985–86 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

purchase of Harrier GR5 aircraft beyond the 62 (including two prototypes) already on contract. A final decision on this purchase will not however need to be considered until the latter part of next year and major commitments on the aircraft themselves would not be incurred until then.

Volume 76: debated on Thursday 4 April 1985