§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the in-service dates of AEW Nimrod and AWACS, respectively, assuming an immediate decision by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Dr. GilbertI regret that I cannot disclose these dates, but either the Boeing AWACS or the Nimrod AEW could be introduced into service in time to meet the operational requirement.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will confirm that every month's delay in Government decision on a replacement for the AEW Shackleton will result in an equivalent delay in decommissioning of the Shackle-ton; and whether any structural modification will be required to keep these aircraft flying up to 1983.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownAny delay in Her Majesty's Government's decision on the replacement for the AEW Shackle-ton is likely to delay its decommissioning, but I cannot be precise. The Shackleton aircraft will, however, be able to remain in service, subject to certain modifications, until replaced by either AWACS or Nimrod.