HC Deb 23 February 1988 vol 128 cc142-3
14. Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary for State for Defence how many aircraft types there are in the Royal Air Force currently classified as dual-capable.

Mr. Ian Stewart

Three, Sir.

Mr. Barnes

Is there any intention to include the three dual-capable aircraft, which are capable of nuclear use, in conventional—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is very difficult to hear at this end of the Chamber.

Mr. Barnes

Is there any intention to include those three aircraft in the Geneva conventional arms talks, or is it the Government's intention never to introduce discussions about nuclear capability into negotiations?

Mr. Stewart

We do not believe that nuclear systems should be included in conventional arms talks.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does my hon. Friend agree that dual capability for the RAF is not new? It goes back to the introduction of the Victor, Vulcan and Valiant in the early 1950s. Therefore, the RAF is simply maintaining the capacity that it has had over all those years.

Mr. Stewart

My hon Friend is right. There is a long history of dual-capable systems for aeroplanes. As to the negotiations on arms control, which the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes) raised, we believe that conventional talks should concentrate on conventional forces. The priority in that regard is the great advantage and numerical superiority that Warsaw pact forces have in conventional ground forces.

Mr. Duffy

Will the Minister tell the House when those RAF aircraft will benefit from the protection and security of a NATO identification friend or foe system, for which we have been waiting for years?

Mr. Stewart

As the hon. Member knows, we have studied the systems for a long time. We are always anxious to update IFF and other systems, and I have no doubt that those aeroplanes will benefit from that.

Mr. Rogers

Will the Minister simply give a straight answer: will the three dual-capable Tornados be included in any conventional arms talks?

Mr. Stewart

We have said that we would not expect nuclear capability to be included in conventional arms talks. We have not said that dual-capable aircraft or other systems should be excluded in so far as that applies to their conventional role.