HC Deb 25 July 1956 vol 557 cc403-6
8. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now prepared to say when a British-produced civil air liner will be available to meet the needs of the British Overseas Airways Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

14. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the latest prospects of British makes of aeroplanes being available to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British European Airways Corporation to maintain an up-to-date and fully competitive service; and to what extent he has found it necessary meanwhile to consent to the purchase of United States and other foreign aeroplanes to maintain the British air services.

Mr. Watkinson

British European Airways already operates British aircraft of exceptional competitive efficiency and has just contracted to purchase a still more advanced British type—the Vanguard.

B.O.A.C. has already ordered thirty-three Britannias, twenty Comets and twelve Viscounts. As regards further orders, the Corporation is urgently studying the findings of its technical inquiries in this country and America. Decisions will have to be taken as soon as these are completed. If these should involve the purchase of American aircraft, B.O.A.C. would wish them to be equipped with British engines.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware that all he has said is welcome news indeed and, of course, much of it was familiar; but the point about which I should like to hear him say something is as to when we are to get a machine that will satisfy the needs of B.O.A.C. on the Transatlantic routes? It is worrying a great many people, in view of the fact that so much public money has been poured into the aircraft production side.

Mr. Watkinson

Do I take it that the hon. Gentleman means when we are to get a British aircraft?

Mr. Rankin indicated assent.

Mr. Watkinson

That is one of the reasons why the Chairman of the Corporation wished to have the most thoroughgoing technical inquiry into all the aircraft that might be available before he took a final decision.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask the Minister whether it has not yet come to his knowledge that the British aircraft industry is in a terrible muddle, and that nothing will happen until the Government do something about it?

Mr. Watkinson

I should not be surprised if, despite the right hon. Gentleman's background in business, I know a little more about the aircraft industry at this moment than he does.

Air Commodore Harvey

Does my right hon. Friend recall that at the end of last year he referred to the 1965 aeroplane for B.O.A.C, and would he tell us when a decision will be made in that direction? Will he also remind the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes), if he does not read the papers, that only yesterday De Havilland's sold £27 million worth of aeroplanes?

Mr. Watkinson

As regards the 1965 project, I am only concerned at the moment—or it is more proper to say that the Corporation is concerned, because I do not come into the matter until the Corporation has taken a decision—about taking a decision on what aircraft will best secure its competitive position in the North Atlantic. There are British aircraft that can be considered, as well as American.

Mr. Stokes

As the hon. and gallant Member for Macclesfield (Air Commodore Harvey) challenges me, of course I read the papers and saw that order, and I was glad to see it. But the fact is that as regards the defence of this country we are in a deplorable mess and there are no worth-while aeroplanes.

Mr. Watkinson

That has nothing to do with the Question, which is about civil aircraft, and in many civil aircraft we still lead the world.

Mr. Hurd

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that B.O.A.C. has been able to place orders for British aircraft to the amount of £80 million and B.E.A. to the amount of £37 million? Is not this a good indication that our aircraft industry is well to the fore, and that we are right in pursuing the policy of "Fly British" as well as we can?

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, Sir, that is a completely accurate statement, and it is the policy of both Corporations to follow the policy of flying British aircraft. Indeed, their past history shows that they have done it very successfully. But, as my hon. Friend has just said, they cannot carry that to the length of being uncompetitive if from time to time there are foreign aircraft which are better for particular purposes.

Mr. Beswick

Is the Minister aware that most people in the House will appreciate the very reasonable statement he has just made?

Mr. Nabarro

Hear, hear.

Mr. Stokes

That does not contradict what I said.

Mr. Beswick

It is a further indication that the right hon. Gentleman has completely eaten his words given in that unfortunate interview to the News Chronicle, in which he said that the Corporation had to buy British or get out.

Mr. Watkinson

That is not true at all. The position is as I have said, that it is the policy of this Government, as indeed it was the policy of the Government of which the hon. Member was a Member, to apply a policy of flying British. However, I am not prepared, and nor should any responsible Minister of Civil Aviation be prepared, to prejudice the commercial future of the Corporations for which he is responsible. That is always a difficult combination of circumstances to provide for, and that is why I will not take any decision until I am satisfied that the merits of British and other aircraft have been fully investigated.