§ 7. Mr. Robert Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent negotiations with other European partners for the building of the multi-rôle combat aircraft.
§ Mr. HealeyI have nothing to add to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence (Equipment) on 4th and 19th March 1969, in the course of the Defence and Air Estimates debates.—[Vol. 779, c. 357–8. Vol. 780, c. 682–4.]
§ Mr. HowarthIn view of the importance of this aircraft to the R.A.F., to our defence effort and to our aircraft industry, what would be the time scale if we got a go-ahead within the next month or two?
§ Mr. HealeyIf we can get a go-ahead—that is, if the Governments concerned agree—we should be proceeding to the project definition stage of the programme, which would take about a year, in spring, 1969.
§ Mr. FortescueIs progress, or lack of it, in the negotiations on a European airbus having an effect on the negotiations for this combat aircraft?
§ Mr. HealeyI have no reason to believe that that is the case.