§ 18. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Minister of State for Defence what decision he has reached about ordering the naval version of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier VSTOL aircraft.
§ 19. Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Minister of State for Defence when he expects to announce the results of the project definition study of the Harrier aircraft in the maritime rôle.
§ 21. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will now announce the outcome of the project definition studies on a naval variant of the Harrier; and what decision he has consequently made about the provision of vertical-short take-off and landing aircraft for the Royal Navy's projected through-deck cruisers.
§ 27. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will now make a statement on the future employment of VSTOL aircraft in the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourEvaluation of the outcome of the project definition study is proceeding. I have nothing to add to my previous replies.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonMay I remind my right hon. Friend that the project studies seem to be taking a very long time? Will he confirm that we shall have a decision on this matter before the House goes into recess?
§ Mr. GilmourThe project study itself is completed, but our evaluation of it is not yet completed. As I have already said, we hope to make an announcement before the end of the Session.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesDoes my right hon. Friend realise that if a maritime rôle for the Harrier aircraft is accepted it is likely to lead to substantial and valuable export orders, as well as at least providing some means of protection for merchant shipping and naval units beyond the range of shore-based aircraft?
§ Mr. GilmourI agree that the implications of a favourable decision are 244 likely to be reflected in exports. This is something we take into account.
§ Mr. JuddWill not the Minister accept that this prevarication is unfair to men in the Fleet Air Arm? In one way or another a clear decision is needed. Will he give a decision as soon as possible?
§ Mr. GilmourI do not accept that there has been prevarication. I accept that there has been delay, and I hope that it will be remedied as soon as possible.
§ Mr. WilkinsonWill my hon. Friend undertake not to be persuaded not to order the naval Harrier by any argument put forward by the Air Staff, because the understanding in journalistic circles is that project definition studies have gone extremely well and that the best export opportunities for the Harrier lie with the naval variant?
§ Mr. GilmourWithout accepting the implication of my hon. Friend's question, I do not think I can give the undertaking for which he asked.
§ Mr. WallIs my hon. Friend aware that this project has been under consideration for five or six years? Will he undertake to make a statement before the long recess? At the same time will he say what Services will fly the aircraft provided that they are approved?
§ Mr. GilmourI agree that this matter has been under consideration for a long time, and my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) has been remarkably consistent on this topic. I have already said that we hope to announce our decision before the end of the Session.