HC Deb 15 October 1969 vol 788 cc375-7
1. Mr Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the engines proposed for the multi-rôle combat aircraft.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Denis Healey)

I am glad to say that the Rolls-Royce RB 199 engine proposals for the M.R.C.A. project were accepted last month by all the countries concerned, subject to the conclusion of satisfactory contract negotiations. The development and production of the engine will be undertaken by a joint company in which Rolls-Royce will be associated with the German firm of Motoren und Turbinen Union, and the Italian firm of Fiat. An initial contract has already been placed with this new company.

Mr. Wall

While I welcome the right hon. Gentleman's statement, may I ask whether he can say that there will be British participation in the airframe and avionics, as there is common participation in the engine?

Mr. Healey

Airframe participation has been settled. There is major British participation. The avionics are slower to develop, but I am assured there will be no difficulty in British firms getting their fair share.

Mr. Robert Howarth

Are discussions still taking place with other prospective partners about this deal? Are there prospects of sales to third parties in future?

Mr. Healey

There are certainly prospects of sales to third parties, although I doubt whether any countries other than the three at present involved would wish to participate in research and development.

32. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the Press release issued by his department on the 14th May relating to the estimated cost of the multi-rôle combat aircraft.

Mr. Healey

No official Press release was issued by my Department on 14th May relating to the estimated cost of the M.R.C.A.

Mr. Allaun

But on 15th May did not The Times, The Guardian and the Daily Telegraph all quote my right hon. Friend by name as estimating the cost at £575 million plus £150 million development costs? Were they imagining it? Is it not seriously undermining parliamentary democracy if information about this vast expenditure is refused us in the House and yet given outside in the Press where it cannot be questioned?

Mr. Healey

If my hon. Friend will look carefully at those reports, he will see that a great deal of background information, including an estimate of cost, has been added by the air correspondents to my personal announcement in the House. No doubt air correspondents have many sources of background information of this sort. They do not quote their sources, and it is not for me to attempt to do so.

Mr. Booth

Will the combined development costs of this multi-rôle combat aircraft be between £670 million and £1,500 million?

Mr. Healey

I am not in a position to give these costs to the House.