§ 71. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the Anglo-French Jaguar trainer and the proposed variable geometry strike aircraft.
§ Mr. HealeyMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation and I met the French Minister for the Armed Forces on 7th November. On the VG aircraft, M. Messmer undertook to examine the French budgetary problems so as to obtain a decision in time for a further meeting in Paris before the end of the year. Meanwhile, instructions are being given for the completion of the definition of the aircraft and the engine. On the Jaguar, we noted that contract negotiations for the development programme are now under way, and gave instructions for production plans to be drawn up covering financial and industrial aspects.