Victor Mark 2 Aircraft

HC Deb 26 October 1960 vol 627 cc2321-2

2. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Air why it has been decided to cancel the order for some Victor Mark 2 aircraft.

Mr. W. J. Taylor

We decided that we could maintain the effectiveness of the deterrent with rather fewer aircraft.

Mr. Hall

How many Victor Mark 2 aircraft have been cancelled? Is it not a fact that the order has been cancelled largely because the plane cannot carry Skybolt?

Mr. Taylor

I cannot disclose the exact number of aircraft cancelled, but I can say that there is still a substantial number on order. Several factors affected the decision. I cannot disclose them all here, but I can say that the decision was not taken on the basis that the Victor could not carry Skybolt.