HC Deb 26 January 1955 vol 536 cc129-31
7. Mr. Wigg

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many D.H.110 aircraft have been ordered for the Royal Navy; the date the order was placed; and what consultations he had with the Secretary of State for Air before authorising the placing of the order.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

Instructions to proceed with the order were given by the Ministry of Supply on 10th January, but it would not be in the public interest to divulge the number involved. My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Supply is responsible for research, development and production of naval aircraft, and the decision was taken after consultation with him. It was not necessary, therefore, for me to consult my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Air on this occasion, though there is, of course, a constant interchange of information between our Departments.

Mr. Wigg

Is it not a fact that this aircraft has been turned down by the Royal Air Force as being unsuitable, and that the Navy is once again being content with second-best?

Mr. Thomas

That really is not so. It is true that the Royal Air Force chose the Javelin in place of the D.H.110, but the Javelin would have been too large and too heavy for our purposes. The D.H.110's wing-tip failure, which was the cause of the accident at Farnborough, has been completely remedied, and there is no reason to think that the aircraft is not now thoroughly airworthy.

Mr. Callaghan

In view of the history of this plane, will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that he has satisfied himself that it is fit and worthy for service in all respects and is comparable to some of the planes in other Services?

Mr. Thomas

I can give most certainly that assurance. This aeroplane is completely worthy, and I think that it is a noteworthy factor that the protracted development of the aeroplane should result in its entering into service with far fewer incipient troubles than other aircraft.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what he means by consulting the Minister of Supply and having some discussions with the Secretary of State for Air? Are not these matters of policy determined by the Minister of Defence and the Government?

Mr. Thomas

The Minister of Defence and the Government, of course, have overriding responsibility, but when we discuss aeroplanes it is the Ministry of Supply which is concerned because it is the supply Department for naval aircraft, and it is the Department with which we discuss these matters. The overriding decision, of course, about aeroplanes is that of the Minister of Defence and the Government.

Mr. Wigg

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a categorical assurance that the Royal Air Force has not turned down this aircraft?

Mr. Thomas

I did not say anything about that. I said that the Royal Air Force had accepted the Javelin and that the Javelin is too heavy for us. Although there was delay in getting the D.H.110 right, we are thoroughly certain that this aeroplane is now thoroughly competent and excellent in every way.

Mr. Wigg

Would the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to answer my supplementary question? Has the Royal Air Force turned this aircraft down or not?

Mr. Thomas

I think that that is a Question that ought to be put to the Secretary of State for Air.

Mr. Wigg

In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.