§ 13. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of State for Defence what functions will be performed by the Linesman system of air defence radar when it is operational; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 23. Mr. Warrenasked the Minister of State for Defence when the Linesman military air traffic control system will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord LambtonI have nothing to add to the very full account I gave to the House during the course of the Defence Estimates debate on 2nd March, when I specifically covered points raised by the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Leslie Huckfield) in the previous debate.—[Vol. 832, c. 774–6.]
§ Mr. HuckfieldIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in that debate he said nothing in answer to the points that I raised? Does he accept that, while it may be appropriate for foreigners not to know anything about Linesman, it does not inspire confidence in our own people who are supposed to operate it that they do not know anything about it, either? Does the hon. Gentleman accept that our basic system of air defence radar is about the same as it was in the Second World War and that—implying no disrespect—it needs only A.R.P. wardens, bicycles and wind-up telephones to complete it?
§ Lord LambtonI cannot accept that. Linesman represents a considerable step forward, and it would be wrong to underestimate it.
§ Mr. WarrenWill my hon. Friend confirm that the major cause of delay in the Linesman contract was the appalling lack of contract administration by the previous Government throughout their six years in office?
§ Lord LambtonThere have been considerable difficulties over the software.