§ 6. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Jaguar flight test development programme.
§ Mr. David PriceSeven prototypes of the aircraft have flown, and the eighth is due to fly this summer. Despite the loss of EO1, progress is well up to expectation.
§ Mr. WilkinsonDoes my hon. Friend agree that progress is more than up to expectation in terms of payload range and that in terms of utilisation of prototypes the rate of flying has been exceptional? This is a product powered by Rolls-Royce engines and manufactured by British and French industry in which we can all justly take pride.
§ Mr. PriceI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. It is interesting, too, that the development costs of the Jaguar programme have been held very close to the original estimates.