HC Deb 20 March 1979 vol 964 cc1284-5
3. Mr. Rhodes James

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the capacity of Her Majesty's forces to defend Royal Air Force airfields against air attack; and whether he proposes additions to the ground-to-air missile defence systems as described in the latest statement on the Defence Estimates.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. James Wellbeloved)

Our fighter and missile defences present a strong deterrent to hostile aircraft targetted against RAF airfields. The"Statement on Defence Estimates 1979"sets out a number of improvements that are being made to the RAF's ground-to-air missile defence capability.

Mr. Rhodes James

I thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that there remains considerable concern in certain quarters about the capability of defending our airfields by ground-to-air missiles? Is he further aware that the essential point of our defence expenditure is to maintain the credibility of Western defence and that the moment that credibility is challenged or questioned the preservation of the fragile peace that we have becomes at hazard?

Mr. Wellbeloved

We welcome support from Conservative Members, whenever it takes place, for the substantial improvements that the Government have made in our air defence capability.

Mr. Ernest G. Perry

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that 40 years ago this month the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia and that our air defences then were far worse than ever before? Today, together with our allies, they are better than what they were then. Will he bear in mind that in opposition the Tories are always spendthrifts, but in power, parsimonious?

Mr. Wellbeloved

I am well aware of the truth of the latter part of my hon. Friend's comments. Both before the Second World War and since—for instance in 1957—the Conservative Party dismantled and discarded our air defence capability. As I have repeatedly told the House, it is this Administration who have put it back on a proper footing, although a great deal remains to be done if we are to be in a position to meet the increasing Soviet threat.