§ 37. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Defence on what date it was estimated that the full development of the Blue Streak missile would cost more than £500 million.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. Harold Watkinson)Estimates of the cost of weapon projects are revised from time to time in the light of technical and strategic developments. These have for some time shown that the total Blue Streak programme, including not only development but also production and the construction of operational sites, would cost a sum of the order of £500 million.
§ Mr. SwinglerI do not wish in any way to trespass on the discussion which is to begin in a few minutes, but did it ever occur to anybody in the Government or the Departments to suggest that this was a sum that the nation could not possibly afford?
§ Mr. WatkinsonAs the hon. Gentleman rightly says, that is a matter which can be debated shortly. I am, however, only too anxious to give all the facts which I have, and these show, as I have said, that, as with most large projects, the cost built up over a period of years, and it was certainly, I should say, over twelve months ago that it was known that it would cost £500 million. But, as I shall show, perhaps, on another occasion, this is not necessarily an excessive burden on the economy.