HC Deb 19 February 1964 vol 689 cc1176-7
5. Captain Litchfield

asked the Minister of Defence how many helicopters were in operational service in the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, respectively, one year ago; how many are in service now; and how many are on order.

Mr. Thorneycroft

It would not be in accordance with normal practice for me to quote the figures which my hon. and gallant Friend asks for but I can say that the number of helicopters in each of the three Services is considerably larger than it was a year ago and is steadily increasing.

Captain Litchfield

In thanking my right hon. Friend for that instructive reply, may I ask whether he is aware that he can count on a very wide measure of support for his efforts to overcome what my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) used to describe as resistances to meeting the operational requirements of the Services? Can my right hon. Friend say when these requirements for helicopters will be met?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Some hint of this support had reached me, and I would agree that helicopters today are a very important addition to the requirements of the Services, particularly in limited war. I am fully aware of that, and I think that we may have an opportunity of debating the matter in somewhat fuller detail later in the month.

Mr. Paget

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is the present outstanding shortage in our equipment and that wherever one goes one is asked, "Can we have more choppers?" Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that this very urgent need of the Forces will not take a back place to the idea that one must always buy British?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I can assure the hon. and learned Member that it will certainly not take a back place.