§ 1. Mr. Alportasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what policy his Department has laid down with regard to priorities for the provision of aircraft designed to meet the special needs of Army airborne units in relation to the provision of aircraft types required for the equipment of other branches of the Royal Air Force.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (Mr. Nigel Birch)In allocating the resources available for defence, my noble Friend has to strike a balance between the Services in the light of current strategic priorities. The needs of the Army airborne units are taken into account in arriving at the allocation.
§ Mr. AlportDoes that mean that priority is given to the aircraft required for Army airborne units over the normal needs of the R.A.F., because these units will be used in a priority operational rô1e should the circumstances require it?
§ Mr. BirchI would not like to say that they are given priority over the R.A.F., but, as my hon. Friend knows, we have in fact taken a considerable step forward in the development of the Beverley to enable heavy equipment to be dropped for the Army. I think that the matter is well in hand.