§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps, other than the disembarkation of the F-4 Phantoms off Ark Royal, he is taking to provide more air-defence aircraft for the defence of the United Kingdom air defence region.
§ Dr. GilbertNo specific measures are contemplated at present, although we are always seeking to improve our air defence capability. One example is our decision to develop the Nimrod as an airborne early warning system to replace the Shackleton aircraft. A more recent example is the new VC10 tanker squadron, announced earlier this year, which will have the effect of increasing substantially the capability of our fighter force.