HC Deb 05 July 1977 vol 934 cc1106-7
11. Mr. MacFarquhar

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his engagements for 5th July.

Mr. Mulley

This morning I attended a meeting of the Admiralty Board. Also, in addition to any duties in this House, I shall be having discussions with my colleagues.

Mr. MacFarquhar

Despite my right hon. Friend's comments earlier about ill-informed reports in the Daily Telegraph, will he spend a quiet moment looking at a report by that newspaper's defence correspondent on 22nd June which suggested that Air Chief Marshal Sir Neil Cameron was studying designs for new aircraft to replace existing aircraft in 1980? Is he aware that some of the design specifications he is looking for would seem to be covered by the MRCA? Will he confirm that that aircraft will last into the 1980s for the Royal Air Force?

Mr. Mulley

The Tornado will not arrive until the 1980s. Air Chief Marshal Sir Neil Cameron flew the aircraft recently and was extremely pleased with its performance. I am distressed at the way the aircraft has been "knocked". It is very unfair to all those engaged in its production, as well as "knocking" the possibility of successful collaborative ventures. Studies are taking place in conjunction with NATO in terms of the replacement of other aircraft which are now used in the Royal Air Force. They will be replaced not by the Tornado but by the Harrier and the Jaguar. Because it takes so long to plan and agree production aircraft, there has to be a 10 to 15-year time interval.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Has the Secretary of State spent any part of his busy day thinking about the representations which have been made to him from all quarters on forces' pay? Has he spent any part of today wondering why the men whom he sends to Ulster are drawing less pay than are the people at Grunwick, about whom he so actively demonstrated his concern?

Mr. Mulley

I shall answer the hon. and gallant Gentleman readily. The pay at Grunwick has risen substantially since the dispute began. I understood that the basic rate was £28 as at August last year, and the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Churchill) quoted a figure of £53 per week received by a private soldier in Ulster. That was an instance in which the soldier in question received an addition of free accommodation and free food.

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