Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Defence – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 30 March 2009.
I know that the right hon. Gentleman takes a close interest in these matters. He will be aware of the memorandum of understanding that we have with the US. The whole point of the procurement of the aircraft is to ensure UK operational sovereignty and, without the purchase of the three test aircraft, that would not be possible.