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Aircraft Carriers

Volume 447: debated on Monday 19 June 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the date when a firm order will be placed for each of the future aircraft carriers. (77391)

[holding answer 14 June 2006]: The future aircraft carrier (CVF) programme is in its demonstration phase. This will develop and deliver a mature design; provide a more detailed cost definition; further reduce risk within the programme; and produce a contractual framework that will allow a decision to be made to commit to manufacture. Only when we are satisfied that all this work is sufficiently mature will the main investment decision be taken and orders placed.