§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the 7511 Under-Water Guided Weapon was first funded by Government; how much public money has been expended in its development to date; and if it is expected to meet the operational requirements laid down in the contract.
§ Dr. GilbertThe contract for the initial phase of Project Definition was placed in 1969. Full development began in 1973. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 27th June—Hansard, Vol. 934, c. 55–6—for details of the financial circumstances and technical progress of this project.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent, in choosing between the American Mark 46 and the British 7511 Under-Water Guided Weapon, he will take into account the substantial sums of taxpayers' money already invested in the British weapon and the interests of the United Kingdom in maintaining the technological and production capability developed in this field; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. GilbertAll the relevant factors will be taken into account.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate manpower engaged in the development of the 7511 Under-Water Guided Weapon at present; to what level this is likely to rise in the event of a full production order; and in the event of the cancellation of this project in favour of the American Mark 46 weapon, what employment would be generated within the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. GilbertWe estimate that some 500 people are at present employed by the main contractors involved in the development of the 7511 torpedo. A full production order could involve up to 5,000 job opportunities throughout British industry.
It is impossible to make a precise estimate at this stage of the amount of employment that might be generated in the United Kingdom if the United States Mk 46 torpedo were to be ordered.