HC Deb 25 March 1976 vol 908 cc264-5W
Mr. Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether existing operational capabilities will be affected by the savings on communications and radars, referred to in Command Paper No. 6432; how long the period will be before such capabilities are affected; and what is the value of the savings.

Mr. Brynmor John

As stated in Cmnd. 6432, the savings on communications and radars will be made in fields which will not directly impair operational capabilities. The savings will amount to about £7 million at 1975 survey prices.

Mr. Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, in Command Paper No. 6432, he gives low priority to improvements on communications and radars in the Royal Air Force.

Mr. John

My right hon. Friend has not given a low priority to communications and radars in the Royal Air Force. The items affected form only a small part of a major programme to re-equip and modernise RAF communications and radars, which remains otherwise unchanged.