§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the total cost of the programme, relating to altering the afterburner in the Rolls-Royce Tubermeca engine, in the creation of the HS1182 advanced training aircraft.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe contract for the adaptation of the Adour for the HS1182AJ has not yet been negotiated.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will define the new close-support rôle of the HS1182; and to what extent it is dependent on an Adour engine.
§ Lord LambtonThe HS1182 is required for advanced training including elementary weapons training. The AJ version which we have selected will also have a close support capability, which is likely to be attractive to overseas customers and offers the Royal Air Force the option of using the aircraft for close support in certain situations should we so decide.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what encouragement he is 149W giving Hawker Siddeley in selling HS1182 aircraft with Adour engines.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe purchase by the Royal Air Force should greatly help the expert prospects of the HS1182, and the Ministry of Defence Sales Organisation will give Hawker Siddeley every assistance in obtaining orders.