§ 4. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Defence if, in accordance with his intention to see that Transport Command will continue to have adequate means to carry out its rôle, he intends the strategic freighters already on order to meet all future needs and whether he will alter his order for Belfast aircraft to include provision for a higher ceiling to that of the 10 at present on order.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftStrategic freighters now on order will meet our needs for the foreseeable future.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill my right hon. Friend, in addition to the present order for the ten Belfasts, think ahead and, as a matter of development, consider a new Belfast designed to meet the needs of a higher ceiling, and possibly with jet engines?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI will always consider any proposal that my hon. and learned Friend puts in front of me, but, looking at our present needs and our needs for the foreseeable future, I am bound to say that it seems that we have ordered an adequate number of strategic transports.
§ Mr. HealeyCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us when the Government will reach a final decision on the HS.681?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI was proposing to answer a Question on that later.