HC Deb 07 March 1962 vol 655 cc401-2
43. Mr. Paget

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the extent to which military signals communications use transistor equipment.

Mr. Profumo

Transistors are already incorporated in certain equipment and, within the limits of their technical development, will be used extensively in equipment which will come into service within the next one and two years.

Mr. Paget

When the right hon. Gentleman says "within the scope of their development", does he realise that this has been developed for almost all civilian equipment and has been in general use for the last five years? Is it reasonable that even for walkie-talkie equipment there should be added this great weight of valves when transistors are available? Why does it take the War Office so much longer than anyone else?

Mr. Profumo

Simply because, by and large, commercial development of transistorised techniques has taken place since the current range of Army equipment was developed. We must use our present equipment, but as soon as we can switch over to new equipment we shall use modern techniques.

Mr. Paget

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police are now transistorised, whereas the Army are still receiving deliveries of valve equipment which, in fact, costs twice as much?

Mr. Profumo

I do not know about the police. That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. The hon. and learned Gentleman knows that we still have radio equipment which is not transistorised—

An Hon. Member

What a rotten word.

Mr. Profumo

—which has not transistors in it. I am sorry, I was succumbing to the jargon. I am advised that in the present state of development transistors are not suitable for every type of Army transmitter.