§ Mr. Pattieasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) Official Report, 27th June, c. 56, he will publish details of the expected date of the completion of the review of technical progress, time scales and costs of the 7511 torpedo and the date when he expects to have the results of the initial under-water trials; whether he is considering the neartip version of the American Type 46 torpedo as an alternative to the British 7511 torpedo; and what he meant by promoting standardisation of lightweight torpedoes.
§ Dr. GilbertIt is too early to say when the current review of the 7511 project will be completed. There is a continuing programme of trials. A number of these have already been carried out, and the results are being evaluated. As is normal practice on such projects, we have kept our NATO allies informed of our progress on 7511, so that they can take into account any implications it may have for their own equipment programmes. We are also considering all the options open to us, including the possibility of foreign purchase.
§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Defence if a decision has yet been made to replace the 7511 project with an alternative system from the United States 33W of America; and what is his estimate of the cost of it to the balance of payments.
§ Dr. GilbertNo such decision has been taken. The cost to the balance of payments of any alternative to the 7511 project would depend on such factors as the size of the order, the precise system to be adopted and whether any licensing arrangements for manufacture within the United Kingdom were made.