HC Deb 07 March 1962 vol 655 c404
46. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Air how soon the aircraft now flown by squadrons of the United States Air Force stations in England are to be replaced by F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers, capable of speeds higher than the present maximum speeds and equipped with nuclear weapons in internal bomb bays as well as with up to 4,000 lb. of bombs and clusters of rockets or missiles under the wings; and what new arrangements for the control of exercise and training flights by these aircraft, and for the protection of the civil population from the risk of accident and from the nuisance of excessive noise, are being negotiated with the United States Air Force.

The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Julian Amery)

I know of no plans to introduce these aircraft into U.S.A.F. squadrons based in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Driberg

Could the right hon. Gentleman then be good enough to explain why the facts contained in this Question were provided for the Press by a spokesman of the United States Air Force at Wethersfield?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Member no doubt has better sources of information than I have, but I have consulted the United States Air Force authorities and they say that they have no plans to introduce the F-105 Thunderchief into their forces in the United Kingdom.