§ 23. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Defence what revisions he proposes to make in the procurement programme from the United States of America for Phantom aircraft following devaluation of the £ sterling; what will be the revised aggregate import cost of the 170 Phantom aircraft ordered; what additional orders he is arranging to secure in the United States of America for British naval, military and aeronautical equipment; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonIncluding research and development costs, capital and interest payments and running costs over 10 years, the total dollar costs of the Phantom programme will be about £415 million. We have no plans for revision of this programme. On the question of additional United States orders for British equipment, I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in the debates on 29th November.
§ Sir G. NabarroDoes the hon. Gentleman's Reply mean that no part of his postulated saving of £100 million on defence in 1968 may be attributed to these Phantom aircraft, and the £415 million to be spent on them over the next decade is, therefore, sacrosanct?
§ Mr. Mason"Sacrosanct" would be a dangerous word to use, but, as far as I can see, it is quite safe.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIn what year will these aircraft be paid for?
§ Mr. MasonThey will be delivered next year. We are allowed to pay for them over the next nine years.
§ Mrs. Anne KerrWill my hon. Friend reaffirm the Government's previous position that they will not sell any kind of military aircraft, ships or any military weapons to the United States for possible use in Vietnam?
§ Mr. MasonThat has always been our policy. We do not sell arms if we know they are going to be used in Vietnam.
§ Mr. Robert HowarthWhat proportion of the sum which my hon. Friend has mentioned is due to the order placed in 1964 by the Conservative Government?