HC Deb 11 March 1971 vol 813 cc559-60
10. Mr. Cronin

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the replacement in due course of the Phantom aircraft of the Royal Air Force Strike Command.

Mr. Lambton

The Phantom FG1 aircraft in Royal Air Force Strike Command operate in the air defence rôle. We plan to replace them in due course with the air defence version of the multi-rôle combat aircraft.

Mr. Cronin

Bearing in mind the extensive commitments that the M.R.C. aircraft has, is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that it has an adequate range for the purpose? Can he also give the House some idea of the reason why the Germans have cancelled a very large proportion of their original requirement for this aircraft?

Mr. Lambton

For the M.R.C.A.?

Mr. Cronin

Yes.

Mr. Lambton

I can only answer that the Germans have not cancelled the M.R.C.A. The range, of course, remains a problem.

Mr. John Morris

When can we expect the next statement on progress on the M.R.C.A.? I think that the last one was in July. A number of Questions have been tabled since, but there has been no proper statement for some time.

Mr. Lambton

I gather that there is to be another re-examination of the M.R.C.A. in July. But if the right hon. Gentleman would like a statement be- fore then, I shall be only too pleased to see if that is possible.