§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Aviation what orders for the Phantom aircraft have been placed with the United States of America since 1955; on what dates and at what cost; and whether reciprocal arrangements were made for the purchase by the United States of America of United Kingdom aero projects.
§ Mr. MulleyI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 28th February. The initial U.K. production order for Phantom aircraft was placed with the U.S. Government in June 1965. No specific provision was then made for reciprocal purchases by the U.S. Government of U.K. aero projects but the general question of reciprocal purchases of U.K. manufactured defence equipments has since been dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and was referred to in his statement on 22nd February about the Defence Review. Provision has also been made for participation by British industry in the production orders for these Phantom aircraft.