P1 Fighter (Development) (Hansard, 31 July 1957)

§ 38. Mr. de Freitas
asked the Secretary of State for Air when he expects to have the English Electric P1 fighter in squadron service.

Mr. Ward
Development of the P1 is going well, but it is still too early to give a date for its entry to squadrons.

§ Mr. de Freitas
Will the Secretary of State carefully avoid the ridiculously optimistic delivery forecasts which his predecessors gave in respect of the Hawker Hunter, because those optimistic forecasts caused great disappointment in the Air Force?

Mr. Ward
Yes, Sir. I think it is always very dangerous to prophesy in these matters.

§ Viscount Hinchingbrooke
Has an exact study been made of the likely tactical and strategic rôle of this weapon in any conceivable war we are likely to fight? Surely the programme of equipping the Royal Air Force at this time when we are making substantial economies in defence in a rather more vital held should be looked into very carefully?

Mr. Ward
We have studied very carefully the likely threat in the various years ahead and I can assure my noble Friend that we certainly shall need this aircraft.