HC Deb 23 July 1958 vol 592 c398
16. Sir A. V. Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the re-equipment programme of Coastal Command.

Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

The re-equipment of a number of Coastal Command squadrons with the Shackleton Mark 3 is now well under way. The programme should be completed by the end of the year.

Sir A. V. Harvey

While appreciating that the main effort is on the deterrent, will my hon. Friend impress upon his right hon. Friend that it is important that we combat any possible submarine warfare? Coastal Command needs some new equipment and will he confirm that when this new equipment is ordered it will be done through British manufacturers?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

The Shackleton can carry all the anti-submarine equipment now in service or in sight. It has a very long operational endurance of about seventeen hours, and I think that in these circumstances it would be wrong and wasteful of taxpayers' money if we ordered replacements at this stage.

Mr. de Freitas

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the rumour that the reason no new aircraft are being ordered for Coastal Command is that the Air Ministry are prepared to wash their hands of this re-equipment because the Command may well be handed over to the Navy?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I am pleased to deny that. We are extremely interested in the future of Coastal Command and want to make sure that it is composed of the most modern equipment.