§ 12. Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Air Force's Strike Command squadrons of Phantoms and Lightnings will be replaced completely by Tornadoes.
§ Dr. GilbertThe replacement of the Phantom and Lightnings by the Tornado F2 is planned to be completed by the end of the 1980s.
§ Mr. NelsonIs the Minister aware that during the defence debate there was talk from the Secretary of State that delays were being experienced in the delivery and production of this aircraft? This raises apprehension that the strike and defence capability of the RAF will be increasingly inadequate, and outmatched well into the 1980s. What action does he intend to take personally to ensure the scheduled delivery of these aircraft and to ensure that their delivery to the RAF is given precedence over any purchases by the air forces of any other countries?
§ Dr. GilbertCertainly I have no knowledge—and no proposals have been put to my Department—about sales of the Tornado to any other country. We are satisfied that the Phantom and Lightning aircraft will be fully effective until they are replaced by the Tornado.
§ Mr. MolyneauxIs the Minister satisfied that the maintenance tasks on the Phantom are being performed as efficiently at St. Athan as they were at 23 MU Aldergrove?
§ Dr. GilbertI do not know. I shall look into that matter and write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LitterickCan the Minister give an assurance that the supplies of the Tornado from Day 2 of the Third World War can be guaranteed, in view of the fact that the Russians supply the basic raw materials from which these aircraft are built?
§ Dr. GilbertI suspect that in the scenario postulated by my hon. Friend there would not be much time to build any more Tornadoes.
§ Mr. TebbitWhich Russian aircraft does the Minister imagine the Lightning and Phantoms would be capable of meeting and dealing with at the end of the 1980s, when the Minister says that they will still be effective for their task?
§ Dr. GilbertI said that they will be completely replaced by the Tornado at that time. Many Tornadoes will be in operation before then.
§ Sir Ian GilmourWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that his original answer means that as a result of the 1313 Government's behaviour the final introduction of the Tornado will have slipped by five or six years?
§ Dr. GilbertEvery time the right hon. Gentleman speaks at the Dispatch Box he gets cheaper. There has been absolutely no action whatever by this Government that has resulted in delays to the delivery of the Tornado.