§ 34. Mr. Parkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production why the American Ford plant has refused to undertake the manufacture of aircraft engines for this country; and whether he will assure the House that there are no difficulties or delays in making available the most up-to-date British designs for production in the Dominions or the United States of America?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)I have been asked to reply. Negotiations for the manufacture of Rolls Royce aero engines in the United States by the Ford Motor Company have broken down as a result of a stipulation by Mr. Henry Ford that his company would make aero engines solely for the defence of the United States. As regards the second part of the Question, I can certainly give my hon. Friend the assurance for which he asks.