§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the RAF's requirement for modem airborne early-warning aircraft, if met my using Nimrods, would require the construction of new planes or could be met by modifying existing airframes.
§ Mr. MulleyIf the Nimrod AEW were to be chosen to meet the RAF's requirement for modern airborne early warning aircraft the requirement would be met by modifying existing Nimrod airframes.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances he has obtained, in the event that the United Kingdom purchases the airborne warning and control system, that the necessary maritime enhancements will be incorporated to meet the requirements of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MulleyThe United Kingdom will not participate in a NATO AEW force unless it has the capability required for the overall NATO task, including the oversea surveillance with which we are particularly concerned.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date it is now proposed that NATO Ministers should meet to take a decision on the airborne warning and control system.
§ Mr. MulleyNATO Defence Ministers are due to meet at the end of the week.