§ Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Defence if Firestreak, with its range of about 10 miles, is now used by both Air Force and Naval aircraft; and to what extent the central organisation of defence will permit complete exchange of views on research in missiles and aircraft between the Naval aircraft industry and that if the Air Force.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe Firestreak missile is in use by aircraft of both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. There is already close consultation between the Services on their requirements for aircraft and missiles and research and development for both of them is undertaken by the Ministry of Aviation. One of the aims of the new reorganisation will be to strengthen further the machinery for co-ordinating the Services' research and development programme. This will include improved arrangements for formulating operational requirements for new equipment, designed to harmonise the requirements of the Services and prevent duplication of effort.