§ 1. Mr. Harold Watkinsonasked the Minister of Supply what steps have been taken to integrate aircraft production in the United States of America and Great Britain.
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. Duncan Sandys)There is close consultation and regular exchange of information in this matter between the United Kingdom and the United States as well as other N.A.T.O. countries.
§ Mr. WatkinsonWould my right hon. Friend do all he can to increase his close consultation which he has just mentioned, because I believe it could be very much to the advantage of the re-armament programme of both countries if we could get closer integration in our manufacturing programme.
§ Mr. SandysThere is a good deal already going on in this way. As the House knows, the Canberra bomber and also the Sapphire jet air engine are being produced in the United States under licence, and we are also producing here, under licence, a number of aircraft components and other items.
§ Mr. F. BeswickWould the right hon. Gentleman see to it that in any integration which takes place this country is not again left specialising in military types of little or no civil value?
§ Mr. SandysThat is just the point. It would be unwise for us to make ourselves entirely dependent on the United States for any particular item.
§ Air Commodore A. V. HarveyIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the production of air frames and jet engines is evenly balanced?
§ Mr. SandysI do not think they ever have been completely.