§ 6. Mr. Beswickasked the Minister of Supply when he expects to make a decision with regard to the purchase of a military freight transport aircraft; and whether this proposed purchase represents the last of the requirements now contemplated for a military transport machine.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesA study is now being made by the Service Departments of new requirements for freighter aircraft of all types, and I am in close consultation with them.
§ Mr. BeswickEveryone is asking that the aircraft industry should reshape itself, and that there should be mergers and a general new start in the industry. How can it reshape itself and how can a new start be made unless it knows what are the requirements of the biggest customer, namely, the British Government? When will there be a decision about this? Before the spring?
§ Mr. JonesThe hon. Gentleman tried to catch me out a moment ago on an earlier promise I made in the matter of time. I think, therefore, that I had better refrain from making a further promise in this respect. I appreciate that this is an urgent matter, and the examination is being undertaken with a sense of the urgency.