§ 74. Sir Richard Glynasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the F111 will be armed with nuclear bombs; whether they will be capable of being used in the tactical nuclear rôle; and whether they will be available for use without prior consultation with the United States or any other of Great Britain's allies.
§ Mr. HealeyAs I have often said, our primary need is to replace the Canberra as a tactical strike/reconnaissance aircraft carrying conventional weapons. But the F111 will be able to carry British nuclear weapons. The answer to the final part of the question is "yes".
§ 75. Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the main differences as regards avionics between the first 10 F111A aircraft and the remaining 40 which are to be purchased.
§ Mr. HealeyNone.
§ 76. Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the difference between the unit ceiling price of the first 10 F111A aircraft and the subsequent purchase of 40.
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§ Mr. HealeyAs indicated on page 11 of Part I of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1966 (Cmnd. 2901), the ceiling unit price applies to the total purchase.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the credit terms he has negotiated with the United States Government, including the rate of interest and the rate of payment of instalments, for the purchase of 50 F111 As.
§ Mr. HealeyThe credits will cover the capital cost of the aircraft and associated equipment. The repayment terms, which apply to the Hercules-Phantom-F111A programme taken as a whole, provide that the bulk of repayments will fall due in the period 1968–78, being spread as evenly as possible. Interest is at 4¾ per cent.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has negotiated with the United States Government for the purchase of spare parts for the F111A, and the prices to be charged for them.
§ Mr. HealeyUnder our arrangement with the United States, we have the opportunity to enter into a co-operative logistics supply support agreement under which we will enjoy the same production price and other benefits as the U.S.A.F. in respect of the supply of spare parts, modification kits, repair and overhaul services, and engineering support.
§ Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what tactical nuclear weapon will be carried by the F111A.
§ Mr. HealeyI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have given today to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Dorset, North (Sir Richard Glyn).