§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of equipping the Nimrod airborne early warning aircraft with an in-flight refuelling capability; and if he will order such a capability as an integral part of such aircraft.
§ Mr. PattieTo introduce the modification now might cost in the region of half a million pounds per aircraft and would cause disruption in the conversion programme. It is not clear that the aircraft will need an in-flight refuelling capability: if necessary, we shall consider fitting it later in the life of the aircraft.