§ 7. Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Supply if he will arrange for an early consultation with representatives of the appropriate service departments of British Overseas Airways Corporation and of the manufacturers of the Vickers 1000 in order that development of this aircraft may be resumed.
§ Mr. ErrollNo, Sir. As my right hon. Friend has already explained, the decision to cancel this aircraft was only reached after prolonged discussion with all the parties concerned.
§ Mr. PeytonWill my hon. Friend make clear or ask his right hon. Friend to make clear what were the reasons for the abandonment of this aircraft which seemed to be a very promising development in a line of successful aircraft? Will my hon. Friend also urge on his right hon. Friend the desirability of reorganising entirely the whole method of ordering aircraft in this country? At the moment there is no prospect that any aircraft will go into production unless it is purchased by B.O.A.C.
§ Mr. ErrollI think that the first of those points has already been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend. As for the other point, I think that the system of ordering aircraft in this country is working satisfactorily, though of course there is inevitably a disadvantage if there is only one operator, but that is one of the consequences of the nationalisation of the air transport industry.
§ Mr. SpeakerThis matter is being raised on the Adjournment.