Multi-Rôle Combat Aircraft (Hansard, 25 June 1969)

§ 7. Mr. Frank Allaun
asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the approximate cost of each of the 330 multi-rôle combat aircraft he proposes to order, and, separately, the total approximate development cost; and if he intends to publish such estimates before finally deciding to proceed.

§ Mr. John Morris
As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Technology stated on 16th April, it is not the normal practice to give cost estimates of this nature.—[Vol. 781, c. 1133]

§ Mr. Allaun
But is it not very serious that, outside this Chamber, on the day after a statement was made in this Chamber, an estimate was given by the Ministry of the little sum of £675 million as our share of the cost? Since these estimates have been wildly exceeded in the past, may we have some guarantee that it will be less than that sum and certainly not more?

§ Mr. Morris
At this very early stage in this most important project it is not possible to give detailed estimates of the kind my hon. Friend requires. There are a number of stages in this project. We have completed the first stage and are now in the project definition stage. That is all we are committed to now, and the object of this, among other things, is to obtain more accurate estimates of the aircraft costs to be incurred. Our financial commitment so far is only to the project definition phase and should amount to £4 million.

§ Mr. Dance
Is it not time that some of the ancillary sophisticated equipment used by the Services, particularly the R.A.F., was provided by British firms which for some time ahead have no orders for this advanced type of aircraft?

§ Mr. Morris
Naturally, I am sure that we are all concerned to ensure that British firms have a proper share of this major collaborative project. British firms will be invited in due course. There is another Question about the engine.

§ Mr. Allaun
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I beg to give notice, that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.