HC Deb 10 April 1984 vol 58 cc188-9
10. Mr. Colvin

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the replacement of Jet Provost trainers for the Royal Air Force in accordance with air staff target 412.

Mr. Pattie

No decision has yet been taken on the replacement of the Jet Provost. As the House knows, we have sought proposals for a possible replacement. On 16 March I gave the House details of the four aircraft now being considered.

Mr. Colvin

I appreciate my hon. Friend's difficulty in giving a full answer at this time, but will he at least say that the long-term future of the British aerospace industry is a very important factor which he will carefully bear in mind when reaching his decision?

Mr. Pattie

I can safely say to my hon. Friend that the future of the British aerospace industry and the strength of our defence industrial base are always matters of great concern to my colleagues and myself. That will be taken very much into account when we make our decision.

Mr. Stephen Ross

Can the Minister give us an assurance that the staff target will be adhered to and that his Department will not be tempted into increasing the performance criteria, which would be unnecessary for the replacement of an aircraft used for training purposes?

Mr. Pattie

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman would wish me to take the time of the House in debating the performance criteria. He knows what the staff target includes and obviously the RAF will want the best aircraft that meets that requirement.

Mr. Best

Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Firecracker aircraft conforms with AST 412, that it is all-British and that it would be a scandal if British pilots were not trained on a British aircraft?

Mr. Pattie

I do not think that my hon. Friend would expect me to comment in detail when we have not yet sent out the tender evaluation documents, but I note what he says.

Mr. McNamara

Is the Minister aware that many people regard the decision to go for a turbo-prop as opposed to a turbo-fan as a detrimental step that will set back the training of British pilots? Will the Minister tell the House, before he reaches a decision, about the tie-ups between the companies named for the four project planes, the set-offs to other countries and guarantees of other markets for the British project?

Mr. Pattie

When the hon. Gentleman talks about the advantages of a turbo-fan over a turbo-prop, he will be aware that in choosing the turbo-prop we recognise that possibly seven additional Hawk aeroplanes will be needed because of changes in the training curriculum. With regard to set-offs and other markets, the hon. Gentleman should table a written question on the matter, or I shall gladly write to him, whichever he prefers.