HC Deb 29 January 1969 vol 776 cc1314-5
20. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Technology if he will now make a further statement on the multi-rôle combat aircraft project.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to a similar Question on 20th January last. There is nothing to add at present.—[Vol. 776, c. 36–7.]

Mr. Onslow

Will the Minister, first, remind the House who will have the design leadership of this aircraft? Secondly, does the Minister believe that co-operation with Europe in the military sphere could survive the collapse of cooperation with Europe in the civil sphere?

Mr. Mallalieu

The second part of the question would lead to long debate. I could not give a straight answer. On design leadership, once the feasibility study has been completed—and it has—the Germans will concentrate on the single-seat version and we shall concentrate on the double.

Mr. Dalyell

Might I ask the Government to be sceptical about the research estimate of £300 million and the unit cost of £1.2 million?

Mr. Mallalieu

I think that all Governments have learned to be extremely sceptical on those subjects.