§ 1. Mr. G. Brownasked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made with the installation of the more powerful engines in the Victor and the Vulcan referred to in the Statement of Defence.
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. Aubrey Jones)Development is proceeding satisfactorily on later versions of both the Victor and the Vulcan, which will incorporate more powerful engines.
§ Mr. BrownWhat does "development proceeding satisfactorily" mean? Last year's Defence White Paper made a very positive statement about this. Is the Minister saying that the more powerful engines are not being installed yet and, if he is saying that, will he say when they are to be installed?
§ Mr. JonesI am saying that the development of both the airframes and the engines is proceeding satisfactorily.
§ Mr. BrownThis is simply stonewalling. Will the Minister say whether his Answer relates to the aircraft we are to have—we have no Victors yet, but when we get the Victor—or is he saying that it is something related to some unspecific date in the far future?
§ Mr. StokesRidiculous man.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not true that the Defence Department is now considering stopping production of these aircraft?
§ Mr. JonesThere are certain decisions still to be made as part of the entire defence review, but that does not affect the Answer I have given.