§ 56. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology (1) why, in the light of estimates of £200 million in February, 1967, and £250 million in April, 1967, the estimate for research and development on the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft has risen to £300 million on 1st May, 1967;
(2) if he will state the latest estimate for the research and development costs of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.
§ Mr. StonehouseAs I indicated in the debate on the Adjournment on 22nd March it is not until the project is more closely defined and we have the final specifications for the aircraft, including its engines and equipment, that we can get a reasonably precise estimation of the development and production costs. However, as explained in the defence debate in another place on 2nd May, we are currently working on the basis of a bracket of between £100 million and £125110W million for the U.K. share of the research and development costs before the aircraft comes into service with the R.A.F.—[Vol. 743, c. 1677–8.]