HC Deb 19 July 1961 vol 644 cc1226-7
26. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Air what aircraft are available for air defence and ground attack rôles in operations similar to the Kuwait operation but where long metalled runways are not available in the area.

Mr. Amery

The Hunter 9 can operate from suitable natural surfaces after some preparation provided sufficient length is available. But we have at present no aircraft of this type which is wholly independent of long runways or prepared, or semi-prepared, surfaces.

Mr. Hall

As the Hunter aircraft is now obsolete or obsolescent, is it not time that we developed an aircraft which could operate under these conditions?

Mr. Amery

We are giving active thought and study to this problem. [Laughter.] It is all very well for hon. Members opposite to laugh, but there are a number of candidates for the particular type of aircraft which my hon. Friend has in mind in his Question, and we have not yet come to a final decision on which is the most suitable for all our purposes.

Mr. Mulley

Does not the Secretary of State appreciate that there is an awfully long gap between the end of his consideration and the time when the aircraft become available in service? Does he realise that it is a serious matter, and that we should get something done about short take-off and landing aircraft? Can he say anything about the offer that I understand has been made by the Lockheed Company, to the effect that it would allow its Hercules strategic freighter to be developed for this purpose in this country?

Mr. Amery

I hope that the hon. Member will forgive me if I do not talk about freighters, because the Question related to air defence and ground attack aircraft. At present there are no air defence or ground attack aircraft with short or vertical take-off capabilities. This is what we hope to see developing in the next few years, and what we are engaged in studying at die moment is the choice of suitable types.