§ Q5. Mr. Brooksasked the Prime Minister what division of responsibility he has made between the Minister of Technology 190W and the Secretary of State for Defence in connection with the expenditure of public funds on the research and development and purchase and sale of the European multi-rôle combat aircraft.
§ The Prime MinisterResponsibility for Government expenditure on joint military aircraft projects, including the M.R.C.A., follows the pattern described in my statement of 21st November, 1966. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is responsible for establishing requirements and for expenditure on the defence programme as a whole; he also generally takes the lead in policy negotiations with other countries. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology is responsible for expenditure on research and development, and for the machinery of procurement necessary to meet defence requirements.—[Vol. 736, c. 939–44.]