HC Deb 02 February 1966 vol 723 cc1057-8
4. Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will call for an immediate design study from the British aircraft industry for a heavy long-range jet transport aircraft to come into service in the 1970s.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Bruce Millan)

No, Sir. We must first establish the need for such an aircraft. This will be considered further in the light of the outcome of the present Defence Review.

Mr. McMaster

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that it is not the Government's intention to rely on the United States to supply the next generation of aircraft, besides the present one, for this country?

Mr. Millan

It is a little premature to consider the next generation of long-range transport aircraft when the Belfast and the VC10 are only now just coming into service with the R.A.F.

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