HL Deb 10 April 1984 vol 450 cc1033-4

2.50 p.m.

Lord Beswick

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to make a decision about the purchase of a new ship-launched anti-ship missile to equip the Royal Navy Type 23 frigates.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Lord Trefgarne)

My Lords, very shortly.

Lord Beswick

Yes, my Lords, and I thank the noble Lord for that information, which I already knew. While there is still time for the Government to change their mind on this, while there is still time to change the order from the American Harpoon, would the noble Lord confirm the fact that the British Sea Eagle outperforms the American Harpoon and the Exocet? Would it not be a serious blow to the British industry, especially in their export markets, if the British Government choose the American weapon?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I would not wish to anticipate the announcement that will be made, but I can say that all the contenders were excellent.

Lord Bishopston

My Lords, if the Government have come to a decision which they have yet to announce, can they assure the House that they will not only have taken into account the particular needs of the Royal Navy and how they can be best met, but also have had regard to the splendid record of the British aerospace industry and also of its future needs? If a decision has not yet been taken will the noble Lord take these things into account?

Lord Trefgarne

Yes, my Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that all those factors will be taken into account.

Lord Gladwyn

My Lords, is it not a fact that the Soviet navy is now fully equipped with anti-ship missiles of the latest type—and very efficient ones too, I understand—and is that not reason for the Government to get a move on in order to equip our navy with similar weapons?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, the Soviet navy does indeed pose an important threat. That is why we have to make all the arrangements that we do and spend the money that we do on enhancing our own fleet.

Lord Shackleton

My Lords, while accepting that the Government have to get the best value for money, would the noble Lord not agree that the advantages to this country of having a viable and indeed exportable piece of equipment like the Sea Eagle could outweigh simple financial costs? Would he take that into account?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, as I say all these things are taken into account, but I would not wish to anticipate the announcement.

Lord Hankey

My Lords, will the Government bear in mind that it is truly impossible to export British products of a defence nature unless the Government buy them themselves?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I would not necessarily agree with that. But in any event of course the Sea Eagle, to which I believe the noble Lord has referred, is already in the RAF inventory.

Lord Beswick

My Lords, the noble Lord said that all these contenders were good, and of course they were, but would he make it absolutely clear that what I said at first is true, that the Sea Eagle outperforms the others? Will he make that clear? Would he also say when it was decided to buy the American Harpoon what rate of exchange was agreed? Was it not $1.6 to the pound, and has not the rate of exchange now changed? May I also ask what undertakings have been reached about the price of spares, and does this not come into the total cost?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, if I were to answer what are frankly rather loaded questions, I should be anticipating the statement, and I cannot do that.

Lord Bishopston

My Lords, would the Minister have regard also to the situation when the Falklands campaign was on so that we, through having a British project, are able to get the changes necessary at short notice in order properly to equip our forces?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I fear that the answer to that question is the same as the one I just gave to the noble Lord, Lord Beswick.

Lord Shackleton

My Lords, could the noble Lord explain what he means by a loaded question? Does he mean one that the Government are unable to answer?