§ 31. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Varsity aircraft for the training of Royal Air Force aircrew categories other than pilots.
§ Lord LambtonWe hope shortly to select a replacement for the Varsity in this rôle.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what consultations he had with the National Defence Industries Council before preferring Jetstream for the Royal Air Force to the HS748.
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§ Mr. Ian GilmourNone. The council is not normally concerned with individual procurement decisions.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his evaluations of Jetstream and HS748 at Boscombe Down.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourHandling assessments of the Jetstream, HS748 and other potential aircraft for the multi-engine pilot training rôle were made at Boscombe Down in July, 1971. These assessments were taken fully into account in the subsequent selection of the Jetstream and the NAR690 for more intensive evaluation.
§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Minister of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce a new piston-engined basic trainer into Royal Air Force Training Command when the Jet Provost is withdrawn from service, to provide an intermediate stage of pilot training between primary training on the Bulldog aircraft and advanced training on the HS1182 or Jetstream.
§ Lord LambtonWe expect the Jet Provost to continue as the basic trainer for the Royal Air Force for a good many years. It is not necessary at this stage to decide on a replacement.