§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware that many parts used in the Phantom aircraft are made in the United Kingdom under licence to United States companies; and if he will buy equipment destined for those aircraft for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force where the United States licensor is unwilling to waive territorial rights for direct purchase from the United Kingdom by the McDonnell Aircraft Company, such purchases by Her Majesty's Government to be paid for in sterling and supplied by Her Majesty's Government on embodiment loan.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsSome items used in the Phantom aircraft are of designs which are or could be made under licence in the United Kingdom, and I hope that some of these items can be supplied from U.K. sources. In at least one instance the U.S. licensor is unwilling to agree to direct purchase from the U.K. licensee by the McDonnell Aircraft Company, and it has been suggested that my Department should buy these items directly and supply them to McDonnell. But this solution would weaken the responsibility which we and the U.S. Government will impose on McDonnell for the timely delivery of the complete aircraft. I am discussing with the U.S. Government other ways of solving this problem.