§ 19. Mr. Dickensasked the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to 227 underwrite the order for tanks placed by the previous Iranian Government to ensure their use by the British Army.
§ Mr. HayhoeWe are giving urgent consideration to all the implications—and there are many—of the cancellation of the Iranian order for Shir tanks.
§ Mr. DickensIs my hon. Friend aware that, due to termination notices in my constituency, many skilled tank workers are likely to be put out of business unless the Government do something?
§ Mr. HayhoeThe Government are fully aware of the employment implications of the cancellation of this order. Careful consideration is being given to these aspects of the matter.
§ Mr. MulleyCannot the Minister give a little more encouragement in response to this question? Are there no alternative possibilities? Before the general election I was aware of a number of other sales possibilities. I had hoped that by now something rather more positive could have been said.
§ Mr. HayhoeAs the right hon. Gentleman will be aware, there are other possibilities for sales. These are under consideration. It has been the practice of successive Governments not to give details of such orders when they are at this stage.
§ Mr. ChurchillBearing in mind that last year the previous Administration placed in mothballs more than 10 per cent. of the operational Chieftain tanks of the British Army of the Rhine, can my hon. Friend say when he will be able to assure the House that these tanks are fully operational?
§ Mr. HayhoeIf my hon. Friend will table that precise qustion, we shall certainly give him an answer. It has very little to do with the cancellation of the Iranian order.
§ Mr. DalyellDoes the Minister have a cost estimate of acceding to his hon. Friend's request, and, if not, why not?
§ Mr. HayhoeNot in reply to a question about the cancellation of the Iranian order.
§ Mr. KaufmanWill the Minister consult his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State about what urgent action may 228 be taken to deal with the cancellation of the Iranian order at Yarrow shipyard in view of the important employment implications on the Clyde?
§ Mr. HayhoeUrgent consideration is being given to all aspects of this cancellation. The employment consequences are, of course, one of the major considerations.