asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current position on a replacement fighter for the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had concerning the Phantom and Jaguar replacement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest developments on the European fighter aircraft.

Excellent progress has been made on the European fighter aircraft, which it is proposed should replace Phantom and Jaguar aircraft in RAF service. Agreement was reached in Turin on 2 August between the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy to proceed with the further definition and refinement of the EFA programme; since that time Spain has confirmed that it also intends to continue its participation in the programme. The fact that four countries have been able to reach agreement to work together on a programme of this magnitude is a splendid example of European collaboration.Work on the project definition stage of the programme is now well under way and a report is expected from industry next summer.