HC Deb 13 February 1979 vol 962 cc935-7
2. Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to enter into negotiations for the sale of the Harrier aircraft to China.

7. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the sale of Hawker jump jet planes to the People's Republic of China is to go ahead; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mulley

Negotiations between British Aerospace and the Chinese authorities have already begun. Whether or not the sale goes ahead will depend on the outcome of these negotiations.

Mr. Arnold

Yes, but what precise timetable does the Secretary of State envisage for the completion of these negotiations? On the last occasion when we had defence questions, he seemed to imply to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) that the sale of the Harriers to China was in some measure dependent upon the sale of civil aircraft, and probably on other projects as well. Will the Secretary of State confirm whether this is the case?

Mr. Mulley

I cannot, obviously, give a date when the negotiations could be completed, because there are two parties to the negotiations. Since it has been dealt with by British Aerospace, I am not fully apprised of all the issues that may arise. But it is clear—and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made it clear—that we do not wish simply to sell arms to China but want this to be part of a wider trade relationship.

Mr. Flannery

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House whether our decision is definitely to sell Harrier jump jets to China? Are we taking into account the question of detente and the fact that this could spell—[Interruption.]—Will my right hon. Friend accept from me that Conservative Members are not bothered about detente but that Labour Members are bothered about it? Will my right hon. Friend try to read Victor Zorza's article in The Guardian of a fortnight ago, in which it was pointed out that there is undoubtedly an approaching detente between the Soviet Union and China, and take this into account?

Mr. Mulley

I would not recommend the sale of Harrier if I thought for a moment that this would be disadvantageous to the development of detente, which I believe hon. Members in all parts of the House would wish to see develop. In particular, I think it would be quite wrong if this could be prejudicial to SALT II, but there is no indication whatever that such a sale would have that effect.

Mr. Townsend

Would the Secretary of State be in favour, as part of a wider agreement, and in order to improve relations with China, of Britain's becoming involved in improving China's tank army?

Mr. Mulley

We have had no request to provide tanks to China and I think that there would be substantial difficulties about that propostion.

Mr. MacFarquhar

Will my right hon. Friend say what the value of the proposed Harrier contract is likely to be?

Mr. Mulley

I cannot, because it depends on various factors, such as numbers, delivery dates, and so on, which are currently under negotiation. It would not be very helpful to British Aerospace, in its negotiations as to price, if I were to make a public utterance now as to the expected value.

Mr. Pattie

Have the Government yet had discussions with the unions at Kingston, Dunsfold and Filton about the desirability of selling Harriers to China?

Mr. Mulley

I have not had any such discussions myself, but I have no reason to suppose that there would be opposition from that quarter.