HC Deb 15 April 1946 vol 421 cc2357-9
Mr. Erroll

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement concerning the resignation of 16 specialist engineers from the Government owned and controlled establishment known as Power Jets, Limited.

Mr. Wilmot

Yes, Sir. When Power Jets, Limited, was taken over by the Government in March, 1944, it was intended that research and development into gas turbines should form the predominant part of its work and these words were in fact added to its title which then became Power Jets (Research and Development), Limited. It was decided that the Government could best contribute to advance in this most important field by concentrating on research, leaving the manufacture of the turbines to the professional industry whose large resources, capable of rapid expansion in time of need, form an invaluable war potential. We have now carried the matter to its logical conclusion by turning the Company's organisation into a Government establishment to be called the National Gas Turbine Establishment. This change could not have been made in wartime when we could not have afforded any dislocation in its work. Just as in the aircraft field, the aircraft are designed, developed and produced by the industry, while the Government provides basic scientific data from establishments such as the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, so in this field the new Government establishment will now be confined to fundamental research and development. I regret that a certain number of the present staff of the Company feel unable to accept employment on this work, but I am confident that we shall be able to staff the establishment adequately for the work which it will have to do.

Mr. Erroll

Is it not a fact that although the Minister desired these engineers to work in this new establishment, they were not prepared to be bossed about by non-technical civil servants in this organisation, and preferred to work for private enterprise?

Mr. W. J. Brown

Will a similar facility of resignation be afforded to the many thousands of civil servants in Britain who are fed up with their treatment at the hands of the Government?

Mr. Lyttelton

Might I ask—it was not clear from the right hon. Gentleman's statement—whether this research station is to be engaged in research on gas turbines or on jet propulsion?

Mr. Wilmot

Gas turbines are, in fact, as I understand it, the instrument by which jet propulsion is effected, and research and development in this important field of engineering will be the concern of this establishment. As I explained, it is felt that the actual production of the engines is best done in the industry, for the reasons I have indicated.

Mr. Lyttelton

The right hon. Gentleman has entirely failed to understand the purport of my question. Is the research establishment to be confined to gas turbines producing jet propulsion or to gas turbines in other fields? They are not at all the same thing.

Mr. Wilmot

I accept the right hon. Gentleman's superior knowledge of the technique. In fact, this establishment will be concerned with every aspect of jet propulsion and gas turbines and any other development of this method of locomotion.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what salaries and other terms of employment were offered by the Government to these gentlemen who resigned?

Mr. Wilmot

Not, I am afraid, without notice.