§ Q4. Mr. Lubbockasked the Prime Minister how he arrived at the estimate of at least £250 million saving that would result from purchasing the TFX instead of the TSR2; and whether his calculation is based on the existing TFX or a developed version of it.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to the reply I gave on 9th February to the Question by the hon. Member for Hendon, North (Sir Ian Orr-Ewing) and the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation to a Question by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on the same date.
§ Mr. LubbockIs the Prime Minister aware that one of his noble Friends yesterday in another place did not even know how many TFXs might be ordered if that decision was taken? How can the right hon. Gentleman base an evaluation on this hypothetical number?
§ The Prime MinisterIt has never been the practice to reveal details of estimates, particularly of aircraft, in a particular programme, whether we are talking about the TFX, as in this case, or the TSR2. But the cost figures were calculated on certain assumptions not only about how many TFXs would be involved but whether they would be Mark I or Mark II.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe Prime Minister is aware that the American aircraft industry would be prepared to drop the price of the TFX to any extent necessary to put the British Aircraft Corporation out of competitive business?
§ The Prime MinisterThis I think was dealt with fully in the aviation debate last week. What I think is even more interesting, from the point of view of defence controversy, is that the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition has decided to drop his right hon. Friend as defence spokesman.