§ 1. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Air what consideration he has given to putting into service with the Royal Air Force, after appropriate modifications, the Blackburn Buccaneer aircraft, at present in service with the Royal Navy.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Julian Amery)This possibility was carefully considered before the development contract for the TSR2 was placed but was rejected.
§ Mr. CroninIs it not the case that as a result of the delays and irresolution in the Air Ministry the R.A.F. now has no long-range, no flying strike aircraft, and no early prospect of one, whereas the Navy has this bomber which combines all these qualities? Could not the right hon. Gentleman be a little less fastidious and accept nine-tenths of a loaf instead of no bread at all?
§ Mr. AmeryNo, Sir. I think the Air Force position in this is a perfectly satisfactory one. The Canberra is to be fitted with the AS30, a new air-to-surface guided bomb, which will keep it effective for a number of years. It would be uneconomic to replace it except with an aircraft which has a long operational life.
§ Mr. MulleyIs not the right hon. Gentleman nevertheless aware that there may be a difficulty if we have to carry the Canberra too far into the future? Is he satisfied that we shall get a replacement for the Canberra before it becomes operationally out of date?