HC Deb 29 July 1959 vol 610 c481
1. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many successful and unsuccessful firings, respectively, of the United States Thor missile have been made by the Royal Air Force in the United States of America.

The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. George Ward)

There have been two firings by the R.A.F. On the first occasion, the missile performed faultlessly; on the second, a technical fault developed during the early stages of flight and the missile was therefore destroyed.

Mr. de Freitas

Can the Secretary of State give any estimate as to how long he expects it to be before the Thor can be regarded as an operational missile rather than as a training missile, as I understand it is regarded today?

Mr. Ward

No, Sir. I am afraid I cannot give any estimate of that, but, of course, we shall as soon as possible make some statement.