HC Deb 02 June 1965 vol 713 cc1708-9
3. Sir J. Eden

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about progress made with the French in the joint development of military aircraft requirements.

Mr. Healey

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement that I made to the House on 17th May.

Sir J. Eden

Could the right hon. Gentleman emphasise that there is not likely to be any damage caused to this new agreement with the French were he to take up the option on the F111A?

Secondly, could the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the swing-wing aircraft for development in the latter part of the 1970s will have a nuclear bomb-carrying capacity?

Mr. Healey

On the first question, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I discussed the question in great detail with M. Messmer, the French Defence Minister. He is aware, as hon. Gentlemen opposite ought to be, that we shall need a Canberra replacement in the next three or four years, whereas the swing-wing aircraft that we are planning to develop with the French Government will not be available for the Royal Air Force for about 10 or 11 years. It is a different generation of aircraft, and its precise capabilities have not yet been defined by the two Governments.

Mr. Dell

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any decision has yet been made by his Department to purchase the F111A?

Mr. Healey

Yes, of course I can, Sir.