HC Deb 22 February 1954 vol 524 cc28-30
49. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Supply the nature of the technical assistance he is to give to Scottish Aviation, Limited, for the development of the aircraft known as the Twin Pioneer; and the reasons that made him come to the conclusion that this company needed technical assistance and financial support.

Mr. Low

The advice of the Ministry of Supply experts and test facilities at the Ministry's research and development establishments at Farnborough and Boscombe Down will be made available. The object of giving support to this project is to hasten the successful development of this aircraft, the design of which offers exceptional take-off and landing performance.

Mr. Hughes

Is it not true that this is private enterprise relying upon public assistance? Would he tell us, further, whether this company—the directors of which are very wealthy people—has not been able to find the finance and if it is to make any payment to his Department for the services which have been rendered?

Mr. Low

As I stated to the hon. Member, the object is to hasten the successful development of this aircraft. This practice of giving assistance, technical and financial, in cases such as this has been going on for some time. I should have thought that the hon. Member would be interested in this important project, as it is likely to give employment to people who live in the county part of which he represents.

Sir T. Moore

Is my hon. Friend aware that both the company and Scotland are most grateful to Her Majesty's Government for these very helpful acts? Will he please ignore these fiddling pinpricks of hon. Members opposite?

Mr. Woodburn

Is it not the case that there is no important aircraft produced in this country which does not have the assistance of the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, and that it is impossible today for any private enterprise to have the scientific facilities necessary to build a modern aircraft? Are we to take it that, even if this is a small beginning, it is the beginning of the establishment of an aircraft industry in Scotland?

Mr. Low

What the right hon. Member has said is true of some aircraft but not of all. There are certainly some which have been developed without this assistance.

Mr. Woodburn

Which?

Mr. Low

If the right hon. Member puts down a Question, I will answer it.

Mr. Woodburn

There are none.

Mr. Low

In answer to the other question, I know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland welcomes this opportunity to see the start of production and development of the Twin Pioneer in Scotland.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Are we to understand that the Government are so opposed to subsidising food for the people, but are not opposed to subsidising their own friends in industry?

Mr. Low

There is no question of subsidizing—

Mr. Manuel

Of course it is subsidising.

Mr. Low

The object is to hasten the development of this aircraft.

Mr. Manuel

For whom?

Mr. Low

As the House knows, payments are made to the Ministry of Supply in return for assistance of this kind, and have been made for some time.

50. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Supply if he has any further information on the suitability of the Twin Pioneer aircraft for inter-island services in Orkney and Shetland.

Mr. Low

The Twin Pioneer is designed to operate from very short grass runways, and I understand that its design is in other respects also technically suitable for inter-island services such as those in Orkney and Shetland.

Mr. Grimond

While thanking the Minister for his encouraging reply, may I ask if any actual experiments have been carried out with a view to reopening this service, which operated so successfully at one time?

Mr. Low

The hon. Member should address that Question to the Minister of Civil Aviation.