§ 12. Mr. Wigginasked the Secretary of State for Defence what alternatives to multi-role combat aircraft exist in the different roles which are planned for the aircraft by the RAF; and what is their cost.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Brynmor John)No single aircraft exists or is in prospect which is a practicable alternative to the MRCA.
§ Mr. WigginDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that any proposal or even the hint of a proposal to cut the numbers of aircraft that we might be taking under this collaborative venture would seriously damage our reputation as collaborators in international arms ventures at a time when the Secretary of State has rightly reiterated the virtues of such agreements?
§ Mr. JohnWe have in consultation with our allies determined a certain number of aircraft that we will take. Any numbers of aircraft must be subject to the comprehensive defence review which my right hon. Friend has mentioned, but certainly we are well aware of the importance of this collaborative venture.
§ Mr. MacFarquharWhat is the present state of the MRCA project? Is my hon. Friend aware that a group of Labour Members flew to Germany in mid-May to be shown what was clearly billed as the golden plane of the Western world but that we have since heard only reports of engine problems and soaring costs? Can my hon. Friend confirm or deny those reports?
§ Mr. JohnThere has been a manufacturing rather than a design fault of a minor nature with the engine, but I am confident that the aircraft will now make its first flight shortly.
§ Mr. WallWill the hon. Gentleman take the opportunity to deny the allegation made by the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) that these aircraft will now cost £9 million each?
§ Mr. JohnThere are a number of different conventions on how to cost aeroplanes, but on the convention used in Britain I can say, as I said in the House in May, that such a figure is wildly exaggerated.