§ 21. Mr. Donnellyasked the Minister of Aviation whether he is yet in a position to form an estimate of the probable delivery date of the Government's order for Avro 748 military aircraft; and how this compares with the delivery date of the Handley Page Herald.
§ Mr. WoodhouseI have nothing to add to what I told the House in the Adjournment debate on 4th April last.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he should have something to add, and if he does not have an accurate estimate of delivery dates, he should (have made inquiries? Is it not a fact that the Avro 748 has been chosen before the military Herald simply because it is the Government's policy to encourage the companies that have amalgamated? Is it not a fact that this is an expenditure of public money on an aircraft which will be later than the military Herald, which fact in itself is prejudicial to the Armed Forces?
§ Mr. WoodhouseNo, Sir, that is not the case. I set out the reasons for the choice at some length when I spoke on 4th April. On the essential point of completion of delivery to the Royal Air Force of either aircraft, the time scale was the same.
§ Mr. MasonIs the Minister not aware that the Herald has been tested and will be in production sooner than the Avro 748, that it suits the needs of the Royal Air Force and that, indeed, the R.A.F. prefers it? It is a cheaper aircraft to buy than the Avro 748. Will the hon. Gentleman now state briefly why orders were placed for it?
§ Mr. WoodhouseI set out the reasons much more than briefly in speaking on 4th April and I have nothing to add Ito what I then said.