HC Deb 11 July 1967 vol 750 cc404-5
23. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on the European airbus.

32. Mr. R. Carr

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has now received the report on the work by the industrial consortium in connection with the production of a design for a European Airbus based on two Rolls-Royce RB207 engines.

Mr. Benn

On 25th July, my hon. Friend the Minister of State will be meeting Ministers from France and Federal Germany to decide future action in the light of the report which the industrial consortium has just submitted.

Mr. Hastings

What precise steps will the Minister take to ensure that the disaster which befell the AFVG is not repeated in this project? How will he tie up the contract?

Mr. Benn

It is of the nature of international collaboration that one cannot tie up international colleagues absolutely firmly. We are, however, optimistic about the airbus discussions and we have insisted that the RB207, the European engine, will be part of it.

Mr. Carr

Does not the Minister realise, even now, the dangers which he is running on the country's behalf? Will he not look backwards on the Concord agreement and say whether, in the light of the hindsight which he now has, we were not wise to make that sort of agreement?

Mr. Benn

If the right hon. Gentleman were to look back at the aviation past of his own colleagues, he would find very little to help us in the problems which we have to face.

Mr. Dalyell

Will my right hon. Friend accept our best wishes for 25th July? Is it roughly correct to say that if the project comes off, it will keep 10,000 people in the aircraft industry employed for roughly four years? Are these figures approximately correct?

Mr. Benn

I do not know the exact figures offhand. It depends on the market. The important thing about this and every project which we now take on should be that we are sure that the market is available for the aircraft in question.

Mr. Lubbock

Have the French and Germans accepted our insistence that the P B207 twin-engine configuration should be selected for this project? Can the Minister assure the House that a further statement will be made before the House rises for the Recess about the results of the meeting on 25th July?

Mr. Benn

I cannot say very much about the French and German position until after the meeting on 25th July. On the assumption, however, that the House is still sitting when the meeting has been completed, I see no reason why we should not be able to make a further statement if it is required.