52. Mr. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement with regard to future aircraft production in Scotland, intimating what guarantees he has received from local authorities?
§ Sir K. WoodI have recently held certain discussions as to the further part which Scotland will take in the air expansion programme. Substantial orders 1980 have already been placed in Scotland, notably with the factory which has been erected at Dumbarton, and arrangements have been made for more than half of the work assigned to this factory to be sub-contracted to other firms. In so far as there is suitable capacity available in Scotland which cannot be employed on sub-contracts, a scheme is being developed under which firms will be invited to submit proposals for the manufacture of aircraft components under direct contracts. I would add that the Director-General of Production at the Air Ministry will visit Scotland in the near future to discuss these matters.