§ 12. Mr. McMasterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what new transport and other military aircraft Her Majesty's Government now plans to procure either wholly or in part from the British aircraft industry; and what support Her Majesty's Government intends to give by way of defence purchases to British aircraft design and manufacturing teams.
§ Mr. HealeyI would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 17 and 18 of Chapter III of Part I of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1966.
§ Mr. McMasterIn view of the recent experience with the Boeing and the F111, 679 will the right hon. Gentleman now take a very friendly look at the British aircraft industry, before it packs up completely, with a view to injecting some hope for budding young aeronautical engineers that there is a future in the British aircraft industry?
§ Mr. HealeyI am not quite sure what the hon. Gentleman means by talking about the F111. I hope that he was not misled by mistaken reports in the Press that the aircraft under discussion in the United States was that which Her Majesty's Government was planning to buy. Certainly we have taken steps, as I explained in the White Paper in the paragraphs to which I referred, to ensure that there is a suitable future for the British aircraft industry.
§ Mr. R. CarrWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm the promise given to the House by his right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation on 16th February, that the need for a strategic jet transport would be considered after the defence review?
§ Mr. HealeyYes, Sir.
§ Mr. OnslowWould the right hon. Gentleman go further than that and undertake to make a further examination of the possibility of using the largest version of the VC10, which now seems likely to be required by B.E.A., for military purposes as well?
§ Mr. HealeyWe have all these possibilities under examination, but it is my duty to the country to ensure that the weapons which we order meet the country's need at a cost the country can afford.