HC Deb 05 December 1955 vol 547 cc7-8
10. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Supply whether deliveries of the de Havilland Venom F.1, N.F.2 and 3, F.B.4, and the Sea Venoms FAW. 20 and 21, are still continuing; and whether he will make a statement on the position.

Mr. Erroll

Deliveries of the Venom F.B.1 and N.F.2 and the Sea Venom FAW.20 have been completed. Deliveries of the Venom N.F.3 and F.B.4 should be completed during this financial year. Deliveries of the Sea Venom FAW.21 are not due to be completed for some time.

Mr. Wigg

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that these aircraft have any operational rôle at all? Is he aware that their system of fire control is hopelessly out of date?

Mr. Erroll

Both the Venom and the Sea Venom are in use in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, and are giving good service. I should like to see the question about fire control on the Order Paper.

Mr. Wigg

The hon. Gentleman must know that these aircraft lack collision fire control, and therefore, judging even by American standards, they are hopelessly out of date, and that to continue purchasing them constitutes a great waste of public money?

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

Would my hon. Friend not agree that aircraft of this type are absolutely invaluable in the cold war in which we are involved in many parts of the world, and that their use in that réle should be continued?

11. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Supply whether deliveries of the Armstrong Whitworth N.F.11 series are still continuing; and whether such deliveries are allowed to fly without being subjected to a special speed restriction.

Mr. Erroll

Deliveries of the Meteor N.F.11 were completed in March, 1953. There is no special speed restriction on this aircraft.

Mr. Wigg

Will the hon. Gentleman compare the last part of his Answer with the statement made by the Under-Secretary of State for Air during the debate on the Air Estimates? Will he not accept that if this aircraft were to fly anywhere is near the speed of one of the Russian medium bombers, it would fall straight out of the sky?

Mr. Erroll

I will certainly investigate the hon. Member's allegations.

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