§ Mr. MacDermotasked the Minister of Aviation (1) what types and numbers of aero-engines are at present on order under Government defence contracts; and on what dates they are due to be delivered;
(2) what future orders are likely to be placed for aero-engines under Government defence contracts; and what are the estimated numbers, types and rates of delivery.
§ Mr. MartenThe following types of aero-engines are on order: Avon, Conway, Dart, Gazelle, Gnome, Gyron Junior, Nimbus, Olympus, Orpheus, Spey, Tyne and Viper.
There is in addition substantial expenditure on a wide variety of spare parts, conversions, modifications, repairs and auxiliary power plant units.
Development contracts, including contracts for continuing support of engines in service, have been placed or are under negotiation for the fallowing types: Avon, B.S.100, Centaurus, Conway, Dart, Double Mamba, Gazelle, Gnome, Griffon, Gyron Junior, Leonides, Nimbus, Olympus, Orpheus, Pegasus, Proteus, R.B.108, R.B.162, Sapphire, Spey, and Viper.
No decision has yet been made on the type of engine to be developed for the Hastings-Beverley replacement.
Other design studies or development contracts must depend an Service operational requirements as they emerge.
45WIt is not the practice to give details of numbers of military engines on order or to be ordered, nor dates of delivery. The Ministry's estimates for 1963–64 provide for production expenditure of £75.4 million on aero-engines. On the basis of present defence policy, expenditure on development and production is expected to remain at a high level in the foreseeable future.