§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if any decision has yet been taken regarding the future of the V-bomber force; and if he will make a statement;
(2) by what method the proposed disbandment of the V-bomber force was on national security are in future made first to this House, preferably in the form of an oral statement.
announced; and if he will ensure that all decisions which have a direct bearing
526W
§ Mr. PymThe House has been informed about the planned replacement of the Vulcan force by the Tornado on a number of occasions.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average number of Great Britain's V-bomber force; and what estimate he has made of the cost of extending the structural fatigue life of the force until the early '90s, assuming that they would not be used in the low-level penetration role beyond the early '80s.
§ Mr. PymIt is not the practice to disclose numbers of operational aircraft. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, the cost of extending the fatigue life of the Vulcan force, and the general refurbishment that would be required, would be in the region of £1 million per aircraft. This sum would be in addition to the high cost of updating that would also be needed for them to undertake a new role.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average age of the Vulcan aircraft of the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. PattieSeventeen years.
§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if there is any purely technical reason that would rule out the Vulcan bomber as a potential cruise missile carrier.