HC Deb 25 November 1975 vol 901 cc651-2
13. Mr. Terry Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future of the Nimrod aircraft.

Mr. William Rodgers

The Nimrod is an excellent long-range maritime patrol aircraft, which we plan to improve still further to maintain its effectiveness into the 1990s.

Mr. Walker

Is the Nimrod's existence in any way jeopardised by the fact that it has a Boeing rival?

Mr. Rodgers

I think that my hon. Friend was referring to a decision which the Government may in due course have to take between what is known as the Boeing AWACS system and the Nimrod alternative. I cannot anticipate the decision, and I cannot say when we might have to take it, but with current pressures on the defence budget the cost of the alternatives will have to be taken fully into account.

Mr. Warren:

Bearing in mind that there are at least six Nimrod aircraft surplus to the requirements of the Royal Air Force, will the Minister recall Air Commodore Scrimgeour from NATO, where he is chairman of the committee examining the future NATO airborne early warning requirement, and tell him that it is about time his committee looked at the British Nimrod as well as its American rival?

Mr. Rodgers

I think that there is no doubt in the minds of those principally involved in NATO that there is a Nimrod alternative, and we are very anxious that it should be fully considered.

Mr. Younger

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are anxiously looking for concrete evidence that there will be a two-way street in defence procurement? Will he bring home to our friends in other countries that when we have bought expensive equipment from them we expect them to give a fair chance to British equipment, which in many respects is better?

Mr. Rodgers

On this matter there is nothing between the hon. Gentleman and the Government. The hon. Gentleman's point of view has been forcefully expressed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on a number of important occasions.