§ 30. Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Aviation what arrangements he has made to ensure the continued development of 1345 terrain-following and other electronic devices lifted into the TSR2.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI have nothing to add to what I told the House on 15th April, in answer to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley).
§ Sir J. EdenWould not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these new techniques would have provided the Royal Air Force with flying systems, radar systems, and scanning systems which were more advanced than anything known in the aircraft industry in this country and in other countries in the Western hemisphere? As the test programme for these techniques was proceeding most satisfactorily, can the Minister say whether he is trying to fit them to any other type of military aircraft for which there is a requirement in the Air Force?
§ Mr. JenkinsI agree with the hon. Gentleman about the advanced nature of these techniques, without necessarily underwriting everything that he said in a comparative sense, and we are exploring the extent to which we can make use of them in other aircraft so that as little as possible is lost.
§ Mr. SoamesHas the Minister made any efforts to sell these devices to the Germans?
§ Mr. JenkinsI have not been in touch with the Germans. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited Germany and had discussions on all mutual projects. We would be extremely anxious to interest our allies in this, as in other British projects.
§ Dr. BrayCan my right hon. Friend give any indication of the cost of the proposals put to him for further development in this field?
§ Mr. JenkinsNot without notice.