Lockheed C130 Aircraft

HC Deb 28 February 1966 vol 725 cc200-1W

81. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now publish the number of Lockheed C130 aircraft ordered for the Royal Air Force; when delivery will be completed; what is the agreed ceiling unit price for the basic aircraft; and what credit terms have been agreed.

Mr. Mulley

Production orders have been placed with the United States for the first batch of C130 aircraft out of total buys of about 200 Phantoms and 66 C130s for delivery by the end of 1968. A formula has been agreed with the U.S. Government by which final unit costs of these aircraft will in each case be calculated on the basis of average unit costs of production of broadly comparable U.S. and U.K. aircraft. Costs of the U.K. purchases will be met by credit arrangements, the terms of which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 11th February, 1965.