§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, on Friday 11 April, he had in his possession information which clearly set out the differences between the equipment carried by airplanes based on aircraft carriers of the United States Navy and F111 aircraft based in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StanleyAs the President of the United States made clear, F111 aircraft operating from bases in the United Kingdom were essential for the United States action against Libya, because of their special characteristics which would provide the safest means of achieving the particular objectives with the lowest possible risk of Libyan civilian and United States service casualties. This stemmed from their advanced avionics and precision strike capabilities. The detailed arrangements for the operation were a matter for the United States within the strict criteria set by Her Majesty's Government, that action should be against specific targets demonstrably involved in the conduct and support of terrorist activities. My right hon. Friend has, of course, long been generally aware of the capabilities of these types of United States aircraft.