§ 7. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects that the studies on the next generation of combat aircraft referred to on 1 March, Official Report, column 134, will be completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieAs I said during the debate to which the hon. Gentleman referred, our studies are still at an early stage. We shall need to weigh the issues very carefully, and it is too early to predict when this process is likely to be completed.
§ Mr. WainwrightAre the Government quite satisfied about the quality and the capabilities of the P110, and, if so, does the Under-Secretary of State not believe that it is now time that the Government made a definite decision? Is he further aware that we always wait too long and that our research and development are wasted because of that delay? Will the Government now make up their minds as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. PattieI accept that what the hon. Gentleman said has happened in the past—that successive Governments have tended to delay the implementation of such projects. However, the hon. Gentleman and the House should know that the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Industry must consider at least three major programmes this year—the A320 civil project, the RJ500 engine project and the P110. They must be considered at the same time and they will all cost a great deal of money.