§ 30. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Supply what study he is making of the relative advantages in operations, maintenance, and supply of solid and liquid fuel for missiles to be used by the Royal Air Force.
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. Aubrey Jones)The subject mentioned is one of continuous study.
§ Mr. de FreitasWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that most experts in the Service regard the liquid fuel missile such as Thor as inefficient, and will he press on with the study of the virtues or otherwise of solid fuel for this purpose?
§ Mr. JonesThe study of the virtues of solid fuel missiles is being pressed on, but I think the fact remains that, certainly as far as large missiles are concerned, the techniques of the solid fuel are not as fully developed as those of liquid fuels.
§ Mr. de FreitasIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is because they are not so fully developed that I am asking him to press on with research into this and to work closely with the Americans rather than be landed with liquid fuel missiles?
§ Mr. JonesThe techniques and the study are being pressed on, and they are being pressed on in co-operation with the Americans.