HL Deb 14 April 1970 vol 309 cc319-21
THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My 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 they have now finally abandoned support in military hovercraft development.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY (LORD DELA-COURT-SMITH)

The Government are continuing their support for military hovercraft. The BH 7, now undergoing manufacturer's trials, has been purchased by the Ministry of Technology for evaluation by the Royal Navy. 200 Squadron Royal Corps of Transport continue operations with their SRN 6 craft, as does the Royal Naval Squadron stationed in the Falkland Islands. Military evaluation and development of hovercraft is still being conducted by the Inter-Services Hovercraft Unit. I can assure the House that there are no plans to abandon any of these projects.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, and welcoming it, I would ask him: would he not agree that, with the good potential exports of the BH 7 to other countries, it is about time the Ministry of Defence made up their minds to place orders for the Services? Does he not agree that it would be helpful to the industry as a whole if this were done?

LORD DELACOURT-SMITH

My Lords, this work naturally requires evaluation and, as I indicated in my original Answer, a variety of steps are being taken to enable this evaluation to take place, and so that the possible utilisation of hovercraft for military purposes can be fully appreciated.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, can the noble Lord say how long this evaluation will take?

LORD DELACOURT-SMITH

My Lords, I do not think that one can put a positive period to it. It is a continuing process, and so, of course, is the examination of the results by the Ministry of Defence.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether Her Majesty's Government will consider granting R and D support for civil projects, and in particular the SRN 4?

LORD DELACOURT-SMITH

My Lords, that is a little different from the Question on the Order Paper, but the position is—and it bears upon the point raised by the noble Earl—that we are at present in discussion with the British Hovercraft Corporation about the assistance which can be given for the further development of existing craft and for new craft.

LORD TREFGARNE

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell us how many hovercraft are in service with the various units that he mentioned?

LORD DELACOURT-SMITH

My Lords, in the case of BH 7 there is one undergoing manufacturer's trials at the present time. It will be loaned to the Royal Navy for evaluation in due course. There are four SRN 6 with the 200 Squadron Royal Corps of Transport, one SRN 6 in the hands of the Royal Naval Squadron, four SRN 5 and one SRN 3 with the Inter-Services Hovercraft Unit.

LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORD

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his information is very encouraging, and that, despite the shaky start in the development of this principle, there is a feeling that there could be something here of great potential value to this country?

LORD DELACOURT-SMITH

My Lords, I am sure the remarks made by the noble Lord will be noted and appreciated.