§ 34. Mr. Mulleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement about plans to develop a low-level capability for the V-bomber force.
§ Mr. H. FraserGeneral trials and development to improve even further the low-level capability of the V-force are progressing satisfactorily. Otherwise, I have nothing to add to what I said during the recent Defence and Air Estimates debates.
§ Mr. MulleyAre we to understand from the Minister's Answer that he claims that the V-bomber force already has low-level capability? If not, when does he estimate that it will be avail-able? Is he now able to tell us some-thing about the cost involved in adapting the aircraft and training the men? Is this cost covered by the Estimates that he presented to Parliament a little while ago?
§ Mr. FraserThe capability already exists, but there are areas in which we could improve it, and that we are doing The costs are covered by the Estimates which have been presented.
§ Mr. LubbockCan the hon.. Gentle-man say what difference this makes to the life of the aircraft concerned? How many hours will it be capable of flying at these low altitudes?
§ Mr. FraserAll I can say is that on present training schedules it will be able to carry on well into the 1970s.