§ 1. Mr. J. Langford-Holtasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, with reference to the last three types of aircraft accepted by his Department, what time has elapsed between the issue of first staff requirements and the equipping of the first Fleet Air Arm squadron.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. James Callaghan)Three and a half, two and three years approximately. These aircraft were adaptations or developments of aircraft already in existence and the times given are below the average for new types.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the information I was seeking was of completely new types? The delay between the Admiralty and the Ministry of Supply is resulting in aircraft in almost every case being obsolescent before they are in the air, and if the hon. Gentleman is not aware of it will he recall such aircraft as the Skua, the Roc, the Fulmar, the Albacore and the Barracuda?
§ Mr. CallaghanI must answer the Question that is put on the Order Paper. The Question asked for
the last three types of aircraft accepted by his Department.That is the Question I answered.