28. Mr. ACLANDasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Ministry still maintains an approved and an unapproved list of engine manufacturers; has any manufacturer been promoted from the unapproved to the approved list since 1920; and, whether invitations to tender for engines have been limited to the approved list, what efforts have been made to secure the cooperation of the unapproved firms?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAs set out in the recent White Paper on the Government policy in relation to the production of aero-engines, the engines required by the Air Ministry are normally obtained from four firms all of a which have been supplying engines since 1920. The types of engines required are primarily determined by the selection of the aeroplane, and by the firm who design and produce 859 it; and engines of admirable performance are available. But, as the hon. Member will see from the White Paper, the Air Ministry would not hesitate to add to these firms a good firm which had produced an engine which was suitable for adoption in connection with approved types of aircraft, and which could be produced in adequate numbers by the required dates. The Air Ministry are always ready to supervise the prescribed British type tests on any engine produced in this country. I would point out, however, that the primary need is not for a multiplication of types but for the rapid development and production of proved types of high performance which are the necessary complement of the aeroplanes on order. The most effective help that can be given in this respect by other manufacturers is by sub-contract work in the production of airframes and engines of the types required in the programme. Constant efforts are being made to secure this co-operation, and I am glad to say that they have met with a large measure of success.