HC Deb 12 March 1952 vol 497 cc1355-7
1. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation if he can now make a statement outlining his policy for Scotland, both in the operational and manufacturing fields.

The Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr. John Maclay)

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on air service policy for Scotland. Manufacturing policy is the concern of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

Sir T. Moore

While thanking my hon. Friend for those doubtful crumbs, may I ask him to bear in mind that Scotland today feels that she is being treated as a kind of Cinderella in the civil aviation line and, therefore, when he has time, will he do everything he can to dissipate that feeling?

Mr. Maclay

I am quite certain my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that I am the last person to consider Scotland as a Cinderella in any way, and he will know that the question of air service policy for Scotland and otherwise is under my very close attention at the moment.

Mr. A. Woodburn

It is not quite clear whether the Question refers to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's predilection for private air lines but, if it refers to public services, may I ask the Minister if he is contemplating some general policy, including helicopters, and a general service for the outlying parts of Scotland?

Mr. Maclay

Quite clearly the whole question of civil air policy is under active consideration.

64. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Supply his plans for developing the design and manufacturing unit at Prestwick Airport so as to enable Scotland to play her proper part in designing and producing aircraft within Scotland.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. A. R. W. Low)

Scottish Aviation Limited, to which I assume my hon. and gallant Friend refers, is a private firm. It has been, and will be, allocated a fair share of the work which the Ministry of Supply controls and for which its facilities are suited. Primary responsibility for developing its design and manufacturing resources rests, however, with the firm.

Sir T. Moore

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, what you think is the explanation—[Interruption.] I am waiting for the noise to subside, but I was asking you, Mr. Speaker, what is the explanation of the reluctance on the part of successive Governments to entrust the design and building of aircraft to Scotland?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a matter for me.

Sir T. Moore

May I, then, refer that question to the Minister himself? What is this reluctance? Scotland has been building ships to sail the seven seas, and why cannot she design and build aircraft?

Mr. Low

As my right hon. Friend said yesterday in reply to a similar question, there is no such reluctance.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister aware that, unfortunately, during the economy period, I had the duty of curtailing the development of aircraft at this airport, and is he further aware that it is quite impossible for a full-scale aircraft development establishment to be built near Prestwick without destroying it completely as an international airport? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Would he take into account the uniting of several firms in Scotland with a view to trying to form one unit for the building of aircraft in Scotland under the development programme?

Mr. Low

I will have a look at what the right hon. Gentleman suggests.

Mr. William Ross

Do I understand the Minister rightly in thinking that Prestwick has been awarded a fair share of contracts, and may I ask him how that squares up with the answer given the other day by the Minister of Supply, who said that he had no right to guide contracts to Prestwick or any other airport?

Mr. Low

The hon. Gentleman did understand me rightly, but he did not understand my right hon. Friend aright.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Minister aware that the best possible way in which to help Prestwick Airport is for the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr, to travel there occasionally by air, like the hon. Member for South Ayrshire?

Sir T. Moore

Does the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes), because he represents coal miners, live down a coal mine?