§ 40. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Technology what was the total cost to United Kingdom public funds of foreign-built military aircraft during each of the past five years; and what is the estimated cost for each of the next five years.
§ Mr. FowlerAs the Answer contains a number of figures, I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. WallWould not the first figure plus the cancellation charges have more than paid the British bill for the TSR2 and P1154 which the Government cancelled?
§ Mr. FowlerNone of the figures which I shall circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT would anywhere near pay for the TSR2.
§ Mr. LubbockCan the hon. Gentleman say how much has been paid so far and what the total will ultimately be for the cancellation of the F111, and would he not agree that the Government made a deplorable error in ordering the aircraft in the first place?
§ Mr. FowlerThe hon. Gentleman must look at the OFFICIAL REPORT for the detailed figures. I have already answered a question about the cancellation charges, and I do not want to prejudice negotiations by estimating any figure for them.
§ Following is the information:
§ The cost to Votes of purchases abroad—excluding co-partnership ventures and direct costs incurred in Britain—is as follows:
| £ million | ||||
| 1964–65 | 1965–66 | 1966–67 | 1967–68 | 1968–69 (Estimate) |
| 1.4 | 10.6 | 12.0 | 15.3 | 54.3 |