§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the F111 fighter bombers he is purchasing from the United States of America are now to cost double the original estimate of £1,643,500 for each aircraft; and what additional steps he now proposes to take to reduce this cost to the revenue.
§ Mr. HealeyI cannot identify the original cost estimate figure quoted by the hon. Member. The unit cost of the F111K is not expected to be significantly different from the original estimate of around £2½ million. I informed the hon. Member on 31st May that "on the F111K we have a fixed price not subject to increased development and research costs which may have taken place in the United States."—[Vol. 747, c. 81.]