HC Deb 19 November 1958 vol 595 cc1119-20
3. Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now take steps to bring to an end the inter-Departmental conflict involving the future operational rôle of the N.A.39 as a low level strike aircraft for the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Sandys

There is no conflict. Constructive study and amicable discussion are proceeding.

Mr. Mason

Is the Minister aware that there is a lot of childish inter-Service rivalry about the future of this aircraft? In view of the fact that it has been outstanding now for approximately eight months, is it not time that the right hon. Gentleman himself stepped in and tried to solve the conflict?

Mr. Sandys

It is not a question of stepping in. We have to try to decide what we shall need in the mid-1960s and the second half of the 1960s. That is not altogether an easy question. We have to be sure that we are, as far as possible, looking ahead and taking the right decision. I think it is better that we should take a little longer now rather than take a wrong decision and waste a great deal more time and money.