HC Deb 21 February 1955 vol 537 cc875-6
39. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Supply why the White Paper on the Supply of Military Aircraft, Command Paper No. 9388, does not mention the system of super-priority for certain types of fighter aircraft announced by the Prime Minister in March, 1952; whether this system is still in operation; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The main purpose of super-priority was to ensure that production was not held up by shortage of materials and other resources. As the White Paper shows, it is in development rather than production that the difficulties have been encountered which have held up re-equipment of the Services with aircraft. The system is still in operation, and has produced valuable results.

Mr. Wigg

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that if super-priority had been a success paragraph 1 of the White Paper would have said so? Is it not a fact that the impetuous action of the Prime Minister in interfering in a subject which he does not understand has thrown the whole of the aircraft industry into chaos?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not agree at all. At a time of shortages, super-priority was of value. To give one example, in the case of the Valiant it was a distinct advantage.

Mr. Shinwell

Does that mean that there are no shortages now, and that, therefore, there is no need for super-priority?

Mr. Lloyd

It means that the situation has very much improved since the right hon. Gentleman left office.

Mr. Wigg

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of what he said? He said that super-priority had been extended to the Valiant bomber. Will he tell the House when super-priority was extended from fighter aircraft to bomber aircraft? The Prime Minister's original statement said that super-priority applied exclusively to fighters.

Mr. Lloyd

My information is that the V-bombers have been on the super-priority list. If the hon. Gentleman will put a Question on the Order Paper, I will confirm that.