§ 33. Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what grounds he has for believing that British-made components and technology designed for the Kuznetsov NK-144 engine, which powers the TU-144 Concordski, will not be used for extending the range of the USSR supersonic nuclear strike bomber, the Backfire, which has a similar power plant.
§ Dr. GilbertI am advised that these components and technology are not compatible with the engine of the Backfire and that, even if considerably modified and adapted, they would not increase the range of that aircraft.