Censure Motion On TSR2

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30725, 14 April 1965, Page 17

Censure Motion On TSR2

(N.Z.P.A.- Reuter —Copyright?

LONDON, April 13.

The British Government today faces an Opposition censure motion on the cancellation of the multi-million-pound TSR2 aircraft on what one newspaper describes as “a black day for Britain.”

The “Daily Sketch” said MPs would bid a “bitter, rowdy farewell to the last great, allBritish aircraft.”

It added: “Make no mistake about it, that means we shall be relegated to the ranks of the little nations.”

The Government announced cancellation of the controversial super-sonic bomber during last Tuesday’s Budget speech because of its enormous total cost—estimated at more than £7som.

The “Daily Express’* said the British people were still ready to spend whatever was necessary to keep them among the major powers. “If economy were the sole virtue, the greatness of Britain would be destroyed. Britain would become another little Sweden,” it said. “The Times” said the danger in today’s debate was that it would become purely recriminatory and therefore retrospective. There was no need now either to praise or to bury the TSR2, it said.

An effort should be made to concentrate on the future implications of defence policy brought on by its cancellation, “The Times” said. “The real argument about a replacement for the TSR2 is an argument about the extent of Britain's military commitments in South-east Asia in the 19705,” it said.

If a current Government review of Britain’s long-term overseas defence policy showed that her military presence in the area should diminish there would be scant reason to replace the TSR2 with the American FIIIA, on which the Government has taken an option, “The Times” added.