§ 3. Mr. Mulleyasked the Secretary of State for Air if he has decided the operational requirements for the replacement of Hunter and Shackleton aircraft; and when he expects these aircraft to reach the end of their service.
§ 6. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Air what consideration he has given to replacing the Shackleton aircraft of Coastal Command.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe problem of replacing both the Hunter and the Sea Vixen is still under examination and I have nothing to add to the Answers which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence gave on 20th November and 11th December.
The Shackleton has several years of effective life ahead of it, but studies on its replacement are in progress.
§ Mr. MulleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Answer will give great concern to those interested in maintaining the strength of our Air Force, on the one hand, and maintaining the work of the aircraft industry, on the other? Is he not aware that there is great concern about the delay in taking decisions? Does he think that, if we delay taking these decisions, there is any possibility of obtaining the foreign orders for the aircraft chosen which are essential if we are to produce them at a reasonable and economic price?
§ Mr. FraserI quite agree with the hon. Gentleman that there is a matter of urgency here. At the same time, I think that it is more important to get the answer to this problem right.
§ Mr. CroninIs not the real truth of the matter that the Government have spent so much money on cancelled aircraft and on excessively high research and development costs that there is no money available to replace these aircraft?
§ Mr. FraserNo, I do not think that is true.
§ Mr. HealeyDo the Government propose to take a decision on this matter for incorporation in next year's Defence White Paper?
§ Mr. FraserMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence stated that it is under active consideration. It is for him to make the decision and make an announcement to the House.