asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the memorandum of understanding with the Government of the United States relating to further stages of the development and production of the Joint Strike Fighter, signed in Washington on 12 December. [HL853]

Although some Joint Strike Fighter partner countries have signed the production, sustainment and follow-on development memorandum of understanding (PSFD MOU), others are still seeking approvals within their Governments. They have until 31 December 2006, when PSFD MOU enters into effect, to sign the MOU. A copy of the MOU will be placed in the Library of the House when it has come into effect.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To what extent the United Kingdom, as the only Tier 1 partner in the Joint Strike Fighter project, is party to arrangements between the Government of the United States and other partners in the project. [HL855]

The UK has been a Tier 1 partner in the system design and demonstration phase since 2002 and will remain so until this phase completes in 2013. The production, sustainment and follow-on development memorandum of understanding signed by the UK on 12 December has been constructed differently in that the tier structure does not apply, but is instead based on a collaborative approach where all the participants have a role in determining how the programme is managed through life.