§ 69. Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the effect of the cancellation of the order for the F111A on the British nuclear deterrent capacity.
§ Mr. HealeyAlthough it would have been capable of carrying nuclear weapons, the F111K was being purchased as a replacement for the Canberra in the conventional strike/reconnaissance rôle.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to the particular need for long range strike and reconnaissance aircraft to support the Northern Army Group of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation before deciding to cancel the F111.
§ Mr. HealeyI would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to my speech on 25th January.—[Vol. 757, c. 628–9.]