§ 105. Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the French Government concerning the effect that the further purchase of United States aircraft for the Royal Air Force would have on Anglo-French aerospace co-operation; and what reply he made.
§ Mr. HealeyThe French Minister of the Armed Forces raised this question with me recently. I stressed to him the importance which Her Majesty's Government attaches to Anglo-French co-operation in this field and assured him that we firmly intend to continue joint development of both the Jaguar and the variable geometry aircraft.
Service Quantity for which full build contracts let Type of helicopter Date of full build contract Date on which negotiations to purchase commenced Royal Navy … 20 Wessex5 … 7thApril 1965 … 13thNovember 1964 18 Wasp … 7thApril 1965 … 12th February1965 23 Sioux … 23rdJune 1965 … 20th March1964* Army … 35 Scout … 21stDecember 1964 … 31stAugust 1964 24 Scout … 31stAugust 1965 … 29thJune 1965 26 Sioux … 30thJune 1965 … 20thMarch 1964* Royal Air Force … 7 Wessex2 … 23rdOctober 1964 … 30thAugust 1964 15 Wessex2 … 25thFebruary 1965 … 23rdOctober 1964* * Date of negotiation of option under which full build contract subsequently let.
§ Sir J. Edenaked the Secretary of State for Defence what official study has been made of the fighting in Vietnam and of the experiences of the United States Airborne Cavalry Division; what conclusions have been reached; and in what ways it is intended to make the helicopter more widely and more readily available to the armed forces.
§ Mr. HealeyThe lessons to be learned from the fighting in Vietnam in all military fields are, of course, being studied as information is obtained. Further deliveries