HC Deb 22 June 1972 vol 839 cc145-6W
33. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will now initiate project definition studies into the technical requirements of a variant of the Harrier aircraft for Naval operations.

35. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a state- ment on the use of Harrier aircraft or super-Harriers by the Royal Navy.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

asked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he now has to order Harrier aircraft for the Royal Navy to gain experience of operating vertical short take-off and landing aircraft at sea.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Studies of V/STOL in a maritime rôle are being pressed forward vigorously and we are approaching the stage when industry could be invited to undertake project definition studies.

37. Mr. Mather

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote the sale of Harrier aircraft to the Swiss Air Force.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

The Ministry of Defence has placed its full resources at the disposal of Hawker Siddeley Aviation to help it in promoting the sale of this unique aircraft to Switzerland. We are in regular contact with the Swiss authorities on this matter.