§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the supplemental ceiling price of £2.5 million for the purchase of F111K aircraft from the United States Government includes initial lay-in spares.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe fixed price for the basic F111A is £2.1 million. A ceiling price is being negotiated for the additions to be made for the R.A.F. version. This supplemental ceiling will exclude the initial lay-in spares and the later spares, both of which we will obtain at the same price as that to be paid by the United States Services. I regret that in column 563, 15th March, I inadvertently used the word "include" instead of "exclude" in this context.
§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision for spares is included in the basic price of £2.1 million, and the estimated supplemental ceiling price of £2.5 million, respectively, of the F111K.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo provision for spares is made in either the basic or supplemental ceiling prices.
§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the fittings for the British reconnaissance pod for the F111K are included in the estimated suplemental ceiling price of £2.5 million.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe additions to be made for the R.A.F. version of the F111 include a strengthened under-carriage, avionics and fittings for the British reconnaissance pod.
§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the escape capsule of the F111K in included in the 331W basic price of £2.1 million agreed with the United States Government.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI confirm that the escape capsule of the F111 is included in the fixed price of £2.1 million and not in the supplemental ceiling price for the R.A.F. version as I stated on 14th and 15th March.—[Vol. 743, c. 396; Vol. 743, c. 562–3.]