§ 10. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what estimate he has made of the total cost of the Anglo-German variable geometry multi-combat aircraft.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuIt is not customary to give estimates of this nature.
§ Mr. DalyellIn the light of the F111 experience, is my hon. Friend aware that some of us simply do not believe the estimates of £1.2 million or £1.7 million which have been given as the unit cost, and would he treble such estimates before making calculations?
§ Mr. MallalieuMy hon. Friend is quite right not to believe these estimates, which have appeared in the Press and have no basis of authority. I would certainly look twice, three times, four times at any estimate presented to me.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWill the hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that we were pioneers in this field in the late 1950's and that we may be able to save on some of the necessary research, having done it already?
§ Mr. MallalieuI take the hon. Gentleman's point.