§ 2.30 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the recent Press comment, they will now clarify with a statement the state of the Phantom aircraft order.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD SHACKLETON)My Lords, we have a total of 170 Phantoms on order for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The development programme is one with a tight time-scale and this has, not unexpectedly, produced a number of problems in incorporating a British engine and navigation/attack system into a U.S. airframe. The effect of these is that de-254 liveries will be held up by some months, but we are hopeful that they are now being overcome.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his full reply, which, if I may say so, is characteristic of him, may I ask the Government, first, whether all the British equipment to go into this aircraft, and, in particular, the navigation/attack system, has now been satisfactorily tested; secondly, what increase in the cost of that aircraft and its support costs has taken place since the order was first placed; and, thirdly, whether the expected performance of the British Royal Air Force Phantom will equal the performance of the American Air Force Phantom?
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I am afraid that I had some difficulty in hearing the noble Lord. He asked first whether the equipment was tested satisfactorily. I do not think one can really come to a conclusion that it has been satisfactorily tested until it has actually flown and been tested in the aircraft. But obviously there are continuing tests and estimates of performance; and perhaps this may tie up with the noble Lord's further point as to whether the performance will be as good as or better than was hoped. It is hoped that in some respects it will be a good deal better. Here again, with the best will in the world, I tend to take a slightly guarded view, but we have no reason to suppose that the high hopes will not be generally fulfilled.
With regard to the cost, there has been no significant increase since July, 1965. I can give one piece of information. My right honourable friend gave a figure of £1.25 million last April. The latest estimate is £1.3 million, but this is partly a matter of accounting and does not represent a significant increase. I hope that I have answered the noble Lord's points.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, since my noble friend has asked about the Royal Air Force Phantoms and since I once had something to do with the order for the Royal Navy Phantoms, may I ask the noble Lord whether it is his belief that, despite these difficulties, the Phantoms ordered by the Royal Navy will be fully compatible with the carriers for which they are intended?
§ LORD SHACKLETONYes, indeed, my Lords. I appreciate the noble Lord's interest in this matter. First of all, the naval Phantoms are not affected by the difficulties over the navigation/attack system as they have a different navigation/attack system. Although there are some difficulties to iron out on the way, again there is every hope that they will be fully compatible. Indeed, if we did not hope and believe this to be so it would present a very serious problem indeed.