HC Deb 18 May 1972 vol 837 cc678-9
24. Mr. Warren

asked the Minister of State for Defence what changes need to be made to the Harrier aircraft to make it suitable for service with the Royal Navy.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Although trials have shown that the Harrier can readily be operated from ships at sea, the present version of the Harrier was designed for close support of ground operations. Changes in its weapons, avionics and other systems would be needed to adapt it for maritime warfare.

Mr. Warren

With the greatest respect to my hon. Friend, may I suggest that after 10 years of sea trials it ought to have been possible to draw up a specification for an aircraft which the Royal Navy desperately needs and which is being denied to it by inter-Service rivalry?

Mr. Gilmour

That is quite wrong, with all due respect to my hon. Friend. Inter-Service rivalry is not the cause. This is a complex matter, as my hon. Friend knows, and we have to take a lot of matters into account before we reach a final decision.

Mr. Dalyell

What is the proposed change of cost per unit?

Mr. Gilmour

As we have not decided what to do I cannot answer that question.

34. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Minister of State for Defence what measures he is taking to promote the sale of Harrier aircraft to the United States armed forces.

Mr. Gilmour

Firm orders have been placed for 60 aircraft and for long-dated items for a further 30. The purchase of additional Harriers as recommended by the United States Administration in their defence budget for 1973 has not yet been authorised by Congress.

Detailed information on the Harrier has been given to the United States armed services as well as opportunities for flight evaluation. An American company has been licensed to manufacture the aircraft.

Mr. Wilkinson

Does my hon. Friend agree that the best possible fillip for export sales of Harriers to the United States Navy and Marine Corps, as well as to other navies and air forces, would be for Her Majesty's Government to place a further RAF order and also to make a decision in principle about a Royal Navy order for this aeroplane?

Mr. Gilmour

I do not think the United States Government would be greatly impressed by a decision which was implicitly designed to influence their procurement policies. It is better that we should take our own decisions on the particular merits involved.