60. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what further contracts he expects from the United States Government to offset the cost of the F111 purchase.
§ Mr. Mason:We have already received orders worth 178 million dollars and there is no reason to doubt that we shall reach the target of 325 million dollars over the next ten years.
§ 73. Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether in view of the reduction in our military capability east 129W of Suez as a result of the additional defence cuts, he will now redefine the role intended for the F111 aircraft.
§ Mr. Mason:Without in any way accepting the premise of the question, the main rôle of the F111K is tactical reconnaissance and strike with conventional weapons.
§ 79. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will redefine the purpose of the F111 in the light of the change in our defence arrangements east of Suez.
§ Mr. Mason:I refer the hon. Member to the reply already made to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) today.
§ 86. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in discussions with the United States Government regarding an increase in the value of orders to offset the higher foreign exchange cost of the F111 order resulting from devaluation.
§ Mr. Mason:The foreign exchange cost of the F111 order is not affected by devaluation.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been necessitated to the air-braking system of the F111K aircraft during its production stages.
§ Mr. Mason:None to date.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the F111K aircraft will still be capable of a combat range in excess of 1,500 miles, in view of modifications during production;
(2) for what distance the F111K aircraft will be capable of maintaining low-level supersonic speeds under combat conditions; and whether it meets the original Royal Air Force specification in this respect;
(3) what is the operational ceiling of the F111K aircraft; and whether it meets the original Royal Air Force specification in this respect;
(4) if he is satisfied that the F111K aircraft will reach its specification performance in all respects; and if he will make a statement;
130W(5) if he is satisfied that the ferry range of the F111K aircraft will meet the original specification; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Healey:It is not the practice to give information on individual performance features, but on present information I am satisfied that the F111K will meet our requirements.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what production problems and defects have been encountered in the FMK programme;
(2) if the production of F111K aircraft is up to schedule.
§ Mr. Mason:Production of F111K aircraft began in mid-1967. No significant problems have arisen and deliveries are expected to be on schedule.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to take delivery of the first and last of the 50 F111K aircraft ordered from the United States of America.
§ Mr. Healey:1969 and 1970 respectively.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total value of deliveries by the United Kingdom to date under the offset agreement in relation to the purchase of F111K aircraft;
(2) what is the value of each category of equipment delivered by the United Kingdom to date under the offset agreement in relation to the purchase of F111K aircraft.
§ Mr. Mason:Up to the 30th September, 1967, payments for deliveries of equipment to the United States, and progress for work carried out, amounted to $6 million. The main items were:
General Stores $1.97 million Machine tools $1.80 million Aircraft equipment $1.15 million Ships $1.09 million $6.01 million
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if the tendency of the F111A aircraft to stall at speeds in excess of mach 2.2 has been overcome.
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§ Mr. Mason:Yes, on the assumption that the hon. Member is referring to engine stall in the F111A aircraft.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made in the contract for the purchase of 50 F111K aircraft for reduction of the number to be purchased without an increase in the cost per aircraft.
§ Mr. Healey:None.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the penalty cost provided for in the agreement with the United States of America of cancelling the F111K aircraft on the basis that it meets the performance guarantees;
(2) under what circumstances the contract for the F111K can be rescinded by Her Majesty's Government without penalty.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, under the terms of the contract, the 50 F111K aircraft ordered from the United States of America will have to be accepted by the Royal Air Force if they do not reach specification performance in all respects.
§ Mr. Healey:As I told the right hon. Member for Mitcham (Mr. R. Carr) on 16th November, 1966, we could cancel aircraft ordered at any time up to the point of delivery. The financial and other consequences would depend on the circumstances.—[Vol. 736, c. 422–3.]
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now publish the terms of the contract for the F111K aircraft.
§ Mr. Healey:No.
§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is now the total estimated cost of the 50 F111K aircraft ordered from the United States of America, inclusive of the cost of aircrew, ground crew, spares and facilities connected with the aircraft spread over 12 years;
(2) if there will be any increase in the cost to the Royal Air Force of the 50 F111K aircraft beyond the original estimate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Healey:The total cost of the F111 programme to March 1976, but in- 132W cluding capital repayments and interest thereafter, is now estimated at about £425 million.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the total dollar cost of the F111K programme, including spare parts and overhaul, over the whole delivery period and operational lifetime of the aircraft, immediately before and after devaluation, respectively; and if he will also estimate the present-day worth of this expenditure, using an 8 per cent. discount rate to bring future spending to the common base date.
§ Mr. Healey:To the arbitrary date of March 1976, but including capital repayments and interest thereafter, about £310 million and £360 million respectively. The corresponding present values, using an 8 per cent. discount rate, are £210 million and £245 million.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the F111A and F111K aircraft are still required for the purposes for which they were ordered, and that they will fulfil the specifications necessary for such roles; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Healey:I cannot speak for the U.S.A.F. 's F111A. As regards the F111K, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have given today to similar Questions by the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Mr. James Davidson).