§ 63. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on his decision to develop a standard vertical take-off and landing strike/fighter jointly with West Germany.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftAs the House knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence and I have agreed with the Federal German Minister of Defence to conclude an early agreement for the joint development of a vertical take-off and landing strike/fighter based on the Hawker P. 1127. In addition, we have agreed with the French and German Governments jointly to develop the Rolls Royce RB. 162 jet lift engine. These are important steps forward in the Government's policy of co-operating with N.A.T.O. countries in the development of military equipment suitable for meeting national and N.A.T.O. needs.