§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the last date at which orders for F111A will have to be placed if it is intended to purchase United States aircraft as an alternative to the TSR2; and what action is being taken in the meantime to ensure so far as possible that British aircraft are used instead.
§ Mr. HealeyUnder the existing option arrangements the order for a small initial quantity of F111A aircraft would need to be placed by 1st January, 1966, and a follow-up order by 1st April, 1967. As I indicated in my speech to the House on 6th April, a decision on the possible alternative use of British aircraft must await the outcome of the current defence review.