§ 65. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft project, particularly relating to the dates for agreement of joint specification, financial penalties and the overall timetable.
§ 66. Sir Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any modification is under discussion for the requirements and specification of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
§ 69. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he has postponed the decisive day of commitment to the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft from 1st June, 1967 until 1st January, 1969.
§ Mr. HealeyThe Minister of State for Technology and I will be meeting M. Messmer again in May to discuss further the specification for the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft. If, as we hope, we reach agreement then, we shall still expect to complete detailed project studies this year and launch the prototype stage early next year. We have agreed to postpone until 1st January, 1969 the date after which the penalties for withdrawal become more severe, in order to bring it into line with the revised programme to which we have been working. Financial commitments will, however, continue to be incurred as and when the programme requires them.
§ 67. Sir Ian Orr-Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft project will go ahead if the Germans do not join in the programme.
§ 68. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had from the German Government on the date of final decision on their participation in an Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.
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§ Mr. HealeyThe future of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft does not depend on German participation but we and the French are taking all possible steps to inform the Germans and other prospective customers of our plans and to ascertain their requirements. As I understand it, the Germans are not yet in a position to take decisions on tile future re-equipment of their Air Force but we and the French intend to press forward with the idea of aligning them with the Anglo-French variable geometry project.