§ 24. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Supply what progress is being made in finalising the specification of a supersonic airliner.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesAs the House is aware, a research study is in progress. The final report, however, is not expected to be available for some time.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIs my right hon. Friend aware that his reply to my Question does not take us very much further? Is he also aware that this is a very important matter which may seem a long way off today but which will mean a great deal to Britain in years to come? Will he, therefore, try to give the House a little more information about what is being done?
§ Mr. JonesI agree that this is a very important matter. On the other hand, I think it important, first of all, to determine what the most economic shape of a supersonic civil aircraft is likely to be. At this stage I would say that it is more important to have clarity of conception than to plunge into pell-mell execution.