§ 8. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Aviation what ceiling price has now been agreed for the F111K; whether all Royal Air Force modifications will be incorporated in all the aircraft to be purchased; and whether the necessary avionic equipment has yet been developed.
§ 12. Sir Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Minister of Aviation whether the avionic equipment for the F111K will be the same on all 50 of the aircraft on order.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe modifications required by the R.A.F. will be incorporated in all the aircraft we are buying and the avionic equipment, the development of which is largely completed, will be the same in each of these aircraft. We hope to agree shortly a supplemental ceiling price for these features.
§ Mr. HastingsWhile it may be that the development of the individual items of this equipment is largely completed, is it not true to say that an enormous amount of work still has to be done on the integration of these systems? Secondly, can the Minister give the House an idea of the arrangements being made in terms of industrial support for the F111K, and what test equipment will be purchased—American or British?
§ Mr. StonehouseOn the last question, about test equipment, I should like to look into that. I am satisfied that there will be no loss of time on the provision of the equipment.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingCan the Minister assure us that the relatively crude Navattack and avionic systems which were first designed for the F111 will not appear on any aircraft which are delivered to us, and that the new and sophisticated equipment similar to that designed for the TSR2 will not involve extra price or delays in delivery?
§ Mr. StonehouseI should like to look into the cost implications of that point.