HC Deb 06 April 1976 vol 909 cc208-10
9. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if in the light of his recent White Paper he will make a further statement on his decision to proceed with the production of 385 multi-rôle combat aircraft.

13. Mr. Arthur Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of his recent White Paper, he will make a further statement on his decision to proceed with the production of the 385 multi-role combat aircraft.

20. Mr. Ted Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in the light of his recent White Paper, he will make a further statement on his decision to proceed with the production of 385 multi-rôle combat aircraft.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr. William Rodgers)

I have nothing to add to what was said by Ministers in the Defence debate last week except to say that a seventh MRCA prototype has now flown.

Mr. Bennett

In view of the Select Committee's grave doubts and the Defence Department's review, which cast doubts, does the Minister agree that it is clear that the MRCA and its defence variant is a waste of public money, in terms of both military objectives and public expenditure?

Mr. Rodgers

No, I do not agree with my hon. Friend. We discussed the matter fully last week in the defence debate, when Ministers were enabled to put certain facts before the House which I hope persuaded hon. Members that the MRCA is the best available buy.

Mr. Latham

Does my right hon. Friend recall that in that debate the Chairman of the Select Committee that has been studying the matter claimed that it was established as a result of evidence from officials of the Department that there are American and even some Warsaw Pact aircraft to which the MRCA is inferior? In view of that, and as no Goverment Front Bench spokesman answered that claim in the defence debate, would my right hon. Friend like to comment on that statement?

Mr. Rodgers

I am afraid that my hon. Friend has it wrong. I well remember the remarks made by the hon. and gallant Chairman of the Sub-Committee. I read his report, amongst others, but his proper comments were fully answered by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force on the following day. My hon. Friend pointed out that we had examined all the alternatives in great depth and had conducted a review between the time when the Expenditure Committee first took evidence and its Report earlier this year.

Mr. Goodhew

Is the Minister aware that there are Opposition Members who appreciate his support for the project?

Mr. Rodgers

There are hon. Members on both sides of the House who know how important the project is.

Mr. Robin F. Cook

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the IDS version of the MRCA is not intended to have a long-range nuclear strike mission?

Mr. Rodgers

My hon. Friend asked that question a fortnight ago. The answer I gave him then—which I stick to—was "No".

Mr. Tebbit

Will the Minister say whether the ADV version of the MRCA is capable of intercepting and destroying Foxbat Soviet aircraft?

Mr. Rodgers

Yes, we believe that to be the case.