HC Deb 17 February 1981 vol 999 cc127-9
10. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, following his statement of 20 January on the Defence Estimates for 1981–82, he will announce what measures are currently being taken to improve the air defences of the United Kingdom air defence region.

Mr. Pattie

A substantial programme of improvements to the United Kingdom's air defences is now in hand. The Sky Flash medium range missile is in service and the Sidewinder AIM 9L short range missile, produced by a European consortium, will enter RAF service next year.

Modernisation of the ground-based elements of the air defence network is well under way. An order has been placed for the first batch of new radars and the chosen contractor for the new data handling and communications system which will integrate all the components was announced in September 1980.

Development of the air defence variant of the Tornado, with its powerful airborne intercept radar, continues, as does that of the very advanced Nimrod airborne early warning aircraft which will replace the Shackleton.

The plan to modify a substantial number of Hawk training aircraft to enable them to make a contribution to local air defence is going ahead as scheduled; and the conversion of nine VC10 aircraft to the tanker role, which is now well under way, will represent a valuable addition to the RAF's air-to-air refuelling capability, especially in respect of the air defence force.

Mr. Wilkinson

I am grateful for that reply. Can my hon. Friend confirm that the Secretary of State's announcement on 20 January that an extra Lightning squadron was not to be formed, that half the complement of the No. 8 Shackleton early warning squadron was to be withdrawn from service, that Sky Flash II was not to be procured, and that further orders of Hawk aircraft were not to take place gave the impression that the United Kingdom's air defence was diminishing? Does he agree that the defence of the United Kingdom must be given a high priority as it secures sea lanes across the Channel and the east Atlantic and is vital to the reinforcement of NATO in Europe?

Mr. Pattie

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in his statement on 20 January, the decision, made necessary by budgetary pressures, is to concentrate any reductions in our capability on older weapons systems and aircraft which are already due to be phased out.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Are not fewer fighter aircraft defending Britain's skies today than when the Minister assumed responsibility in May 1979? Is it not disgraceful that the loud-mouthed patriots behind the Minister, who made such a scene about the number of air defence aircraft when they were in Opposition, should now adopt an attitude of craven silence, in the light of the Minister's disgraceful neglect of the country's air defence?

Mr. Pattie

It is not true that fewer aircraft are defending us.

Mr. Wellbeloved

Publish the numbers.

Mr. Pattie

As the hon. Gentleman knows, in his day it was not the practice to publish the numbers and we shall not publish them. What he says is not true. I have not noticed any craven silence on the part of my hon. Friends.

Mrs. Knight

Did my hon. Friend notice the report in The Daily Telegraph this morning to the effect that the cutback in aircraft will probably increase the risk of accidents and seriously jeopardise our combat capability? Has he a comment to make on that?

Mr. Pattie

The reductions in training caused by a desire to reduce the amount of fuel used will have no impact whatsoever on the safety levels of the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Snape

How many hours are flown by RAF crews in pursuit of the defence of the United Kingdom compared with the number of hours flown under the same procedures on 4 May 1979? Does the Minister remember his brave words from the Dispatch Box on 23 June last year when he and his hon. Friends made an attack on my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Wellbeloved)? Is not the House owed an explanation about the Minister's failures and is not my hon. Friend owed an apology?

Mr. Pattie

No. If the hon. Gentleman tables a question I shall provide the figures that he requires.