HC Deb 30 October 1957 vol 575 cc185-6
7. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air when he now expects the re-equipment of operational squadrons with Vulcans and Victors to be completed.

Mr. Ward

It would not be in the public interest to give that information at this stage.

Mr. de Freitas

Is not the Victor appallingly delayed? In view of this, what change are the Government going to make in the procedure of giving contracts to very small aircraft firms?

Mr. Ward

No one is more keen than I am to get aircraft into service at the proper time and without delay, but the hon. Gentleman knows that in developing new aircraft one gets inevitable delays. He himself implored me as recently as 31st July not to make optimistic delivery forecasts which might later cause disappointment.