HC Deb 03 December 1969 vol 792 c1479
24. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Phantom aircraft have now been delivered, and at what total sterling cost; what is the balance outstanding for delivery to complete the 170 aircraft in all; including spares, what will be the total net cost, excluding Rolls-Royce engines; and when the contract will be completed.

Mr. John Morris

All 170 Phantom aircraft have now been delivered. The sterling cost of Rolls-Royce engines, initial spares and other items of United Kingdom production for these aircraft is about £200 million. The remainder of the cost, including initial spares and support, is about £300 million in dollars.

Sir G. Nabarro

May the House have an assurance that this is the last American contract which will be placed for military aircraft and that orders for any future requirements will be placed in this country, where we are perfectly capable of manufacturing our own military aircraft?

Mr. Morris

I can give no such assurance. As the hon. Gentleman knows, as regards the major project to which I referred earlier, on which we are now in the middle of the project definition stage, we are engaged in a collaborative venture with other countries. This is the choice open to us. On some matters we can go it alone, on others again we can have a collaborative venture with other countries. We cannot be expert in all things, and we cannot produce everything which our armed forces need; otherwise the R. and D. expenditure would be colossal.

Mr. Snow

Can my hon. Friend say, without notice, when this contract was originally signed?

Mr. Morris

As regards the Phantoms, the decision in principle on the naval version was taken by our predecessors, and on the Royal Air Force version the decision was taken by ourselves.