§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Aviation what discussions have been held with France and Germany with a view to eliminating wasteful competition on the development of a vertical take-off strike fighter, and to establishing a better inter-change of technical information between the three countries on their national projects.
§ Mr. AmeryMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence and I have discussed V.T.O.L. strike/reconnaissance aircraft on a number of recent occasions with French and German Ministers. There have also been discussions in N.A.T.O. In all these discussions Her Majesty's Government has consistently urged the adoption of a common aircraft. It remains our hope that a large measure of standardisation will eventually be achieved. In addition to the opportunities which arise in N.A.T.O., we also have bilateral machinery with France and Germany, as with other allies, for the 9W regular exchange of information on defence research and development. This, of course, includes V.T.O.L. aircraft.