HC Deb 20 May 1957 vol 570 cc849-51
29. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, as a result of the change in Government defence policy, Armstrong Siddeley Motors, Coventry, have been told by his Department to reduce their proposed development vote by 45 per cent.; and what steps he proposes to take to provide alternative contracts so as to avoid the dismissal of the skilled experimental labour force involved.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Aubrey Jones)

The cancellation of the supersonic bomber project announced in the Defence White Paper involves the cancellation of the contract for its engine, and this together with some running down of other work will bring the firm's expenditure this year on research and development work for my Ministry down to about two-thirds of last year's figure. There is little likelihood of my being able to find alternative work to fill this gap.

Miss Burton

As the Minister, on 8th February, gave an undertaking to try to find alternative work to offset the cutback in defence orders, and as that policy was further put forward in this House by the Lord Privy Seal on behalf of the Prime Minister on 20th February, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman what value he expects the people of Coventry to put upon the word of this Government?

Mr. Jones

Whenever possible I certainly will do my best to find alternative work, but I must remind the hon. Lady that the aircraft industry expanded unduly as a result of the Korean rearmament boom and some measure of contraction is now unavoidable. We ought to be realistic about that.

Mr. J. Griffiths

May I ask whether the Government accept responsibility for finding alternative employment for those who are rendered unemployed by the cuts in the defence services? Do they accept that?

Mr. Jones

No, Sir. My responsibility, as far as this Question is concerned, is limited to endeavouring to find alternative defence work and alternative civil work in the aircraft field, and that I will most certainly do. It is unrealistic to expect civil work to offset a reduction in defence work.

Mr. Griffiths

As the right hon. Gentleman himself approved the plans for the reduction of defence expenditure, with the consequent result in unemployment, has he consulted the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Labour to see if something can be done to provide alternative employment?

Mr. Jones

Yes, Sir. Consultations with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Labour are always taking place.

Mr. Crossman

When the Minister said that the industry had expanded unduly as a result of Korea, is he solemnly telling us that we did something wrong in Coventry in making the aircraft that we were asked to make? Are we to take the blame for that? What does the Minister mean by "unduly"?

Mr. Jones

I meant that in the course of the Korean rearmament boom the aircraft industry expanded to a point which can no longer be sustained.

Mr. Crossman

Then the right hon. Gentleman does not mean "unduly"?

Miss Burton

On a point of order. May I ask what redress a Member has when a statement is made by the Prime Minister in this House which is specifically repudiated by another Minister? Furthermore, this figure was reached because the Minister of Supply gave this company the money because of the excellence of its technical organisation?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Lady could raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment, if she gets the opportunity.

Miss Burton

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.