§ Mr. Critchleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made with NATO to install interoperable mechanical handling equipment, containers and pallets.
§ Dr. GilbertNATO countries have adopted a standard size of pallet and use containers to specifications already established in the commercial market by the International Standards Organisation. Mechanical handling equipment is not itself standardised, but all NATO countries use equipment which of necessity is capable of handling standard pallets and containers.
§ Mr. Critchleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is promised that would enable the Northern Army Group in Germany to fire common ammunition.
§ Dr. GilbertStandardisation of ammunition within NATO has a high 621W priority. The United Kingdom is participating in the NATO small arms test, the objective of which is the selection of a future standard NATO calibre for small arms. The new 155mm artillery FH 70 and SP 70 on the design and manufacture of which we are collaborating with Italy and Germany will have ammunition interchangeable with current and future American weapons.
§ Mr. Critchleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans NATO has to pre-position drag-chutes suitable for use by all types of allied aircraft on NATO airfields in Germany.
§ Dr. GilbertPre-positioning of drag-chutes is one of a number of measures to improve the interoperability of allied air forces currently being examined by the NATO Military Agency for Standardisation.
§ Mr. Critchleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being
Ships Fixed wing aircraft Helicopters Year Number Cost Number Cost Number Cost £ million £ million £ million 1973 — — 5 4.391 4 0.418 1974 — — 2 1.023 6 2.064 1975 — — — — 6 1.414 1976 (until 31st October 1976) 1 0.150 1 0.123 4 0.896 Total 1 0.150 8 5.537 20 4.792 Overall Total—£ million 10.479. A decision on the future of HMS "Fittleton", which sank after colliding with HMS "Mermaid" on 20th September 1976 and was subsequently raised and towed to Chatham Naval Base, has yet to be made.