HC Deb 31 January 1962 vol 652 cc1068-70
5. Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many times demonstrations have been given to officers of the Royal Air Force and officials of his Department showing the capabilities and operational rôles of the Handley Page Dart Herald aircraft; and how many he intends to order for the Royal Air Force as a result.

10. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Secretary of State for Air if the military version of the Handley Page Dart Herald satisfies the operational requirements of the Royal Air Force as a close-support military transport; whether there is any comparable aircraft immediately available at no greater price; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Amery

There has been one demonstration of the Herald specifically for the Royal Air Force, though, of course, the aircraft has been seen on a number of other occasions.

The Herald is one of the aircraft which are being considered for the light cargo military transport rôle. No decision has, however, been taken, about an order and I am therefore unable to make a statement.

Mr. Mason

I assume that the Minister has also seen the recent demonstration of the Avro 748. I hope that he will assure the House that he is not prepared to be a shuttlecock between the aircraft companies and the present Minister of Aviation. Is he not aware that the Herald at the moment can do the job? It is certainly cheaper than the Avro 748 and it is readily available. To what extent does the Avro 748 compete with the Herald?

Mr. Amery

We are at present assessing the strong and weak points of all the aircraft we are considering for this rôle. Until this assessment is completed I am not in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Goodhew

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the matter which is of paramount importance is that the R.A.F. should have the right aircraft at the right price as soon as possible? Will he impress on his right hon. Friends that many Members of the House and people outside would consider it iniquitous if the R.A.F. were denied this aircraft merely because Handley Page had not received a take-over bid which it found acceptable or, indeed, if it were found that this contract was being used as an instrument of blackmail to force a merger upon the company to comply with a policy which has been arranged later than the development of this aircraft?

Mr. Amery

I am naturally anxious to get the best possible aircraft for the Service.

Mr. Mulley

Can the Minister be a little more forthcoming? Can he not give us an assurance that the only consideration will be the needs of the Royal Air Force and that he will not allow the difficulties of his right hon. Friends either to persuade him to take the wrong aircraft or to unduly delay placing the order if the Royal Air Force for Service reasons deems it necessary to do so now?

Mr. Amery

I must await the final assessment of the qualities and deficiencies of the different aircraft under consideration before I can make a statement.