§ 12. Rear-Admiral Sir MURRAY SUETERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in the view of the 354 Air Ministry, the number of firms manufacturing aircraft at the present time is sufficient for all probable contingencies?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The number of such firms is considered sufficient for peace time requirements and for providing an adequate basis for expansion in emergency.
§ 13. Sir M. SUETERasked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether, in view of the uncertainty that now prevails in Europe, the Air Ministry is distributing its business over the aircraft industry with a view to keeping all firms competent to manufacture aircraft reasonably employed?
§ Sir P. SASSOONMy hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that all relevant factors are taken into account in distributing Air Ministry business in the aircraft industry. He will appreciate, however, that the primary factor is the technical efficiency of the competing types offered.