To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the statement by the Minister of State for Defence Procurement that the number of Eurofighters to be ordered will he included as an item for consideration bythe defence review represents Government policy. [5495]

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear on 16 June, Official Report, column 81, it is our intention to order Eurofighter according to the conditions and numbers previously announced. We are committed to the purchase of 232 Eurofighters. Eurofighter might be a cost effective replacement for the Harrier GR7, although no decision on this needs to be taken yet. Decisions taken during the Defence Review could affect this.