§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence when he hopes to complete 147W the feasibility study of a medium-range Sparrow weapon, with advanced British components, developed by Marconi and Electrical and Musical Industries.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourThe feasibility study should be completed later this year.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what preliminary estimate he has of the cost of installing British variations in the American Sparrow weapon;
(2) what is the estimated cost of the feasibility study of British instrumentation in an American Sparrow weapon.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourIt would be contrary to the usual practice to disclose this information.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what representations have been made to him, urging the installation of British instruments in American equipment.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourRepresentations have been received from time to time on ways of maintaining British technology and employment when procurement of foreign weapons is in question. The proposal to install a British guidance head and fuse in the basic Sparrow missile is consistent with these objectives and appears an economical way of meeting our requirement for an improved medium-range missile. It was evolved jointly by the Ministry of Defence and United Kingdom companies.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence why he makes feasibility studies on well-proved and elderly American missiles.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourWe consider the Sparrow missile capable of further development to meet our requirement for an improved medium range air-to-air missile. The study to which the hon. Member refers is to establish the feasibility, including the cost implications, of achieving the necessary modifications with British components.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Raythion Corporation on questions of patent, in relation to the Sparrow weapon.
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§ Mr. Ian GilmourSome preliminary discussions have already taken place but this is one of the points to be covered in the feasibility study.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what representations he has had from the United States Government as to their participation in the Hawker Siddeley Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile 75; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourNone.