HC Deb 30 May 1960 vol 624 c995
41. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Aviation what studies he has made of the possibility of modifying Royal Air Force V-bombers so that they can carry Skybolt.

Mr. Sandys

This matter has been studied by a British technical mission sent for this purpose to the United States.

Mr. de Freitas

The Minister has told us that the V-bombers could be so modified. Was it not on this assumption that the credibility of the independent nuclear deterrent into the mid-1960s was argued?

Mr. Sandys

That is so, and I believe the assumption to be correct.

Mr. de Freitas

Would the right hon. Gentleman say that all V-bombers can be modified? Is that the assumption on which he is working?

Mr. Sandys

Not all the V-bombers. We were thinking in terms of the Mark II bomber—the more advanced type.