CVF - News update

[Data-Lynx]

Britain and France to share Carrier Programme

The Independent carries an article today on Britain and France to share the CVF programme. The Herald and the Qatar Peninsular offer more detail and comment from the Secretary of State, Dr John Reid. The Memorandum of Understanding should be signed by the end of the month and staged payments have been agreed to be made by France in recognition of the investment the UK has already made in the design. This will comprise £30m now and £25m in July with a further £45m at the end of the demonstration phase if France decides to continue with the project.

There are details to be wrapped up but we have agreed on the arrangements for the management of the project for the next 12 months.