HC Deb 24 November 1958 vol 596 cc10-1
21. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Supply how many and which transport aircraft are on order for the Royal Air Force.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Aubrey Jones)

Twenty Britannias.

Mr. de Freitas

Will the Minister ask the Secretary of State for Air why there is no replacement on order for the Valetta or Beverley? This continual delay is giving great pleasure to the American aircraft industry and causing great concern to the British.

Mr. Jones

The hon. Gentleman should address that question to my right hon. Friend. I only place orders on requirements determined by the Services.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that because of the delay in reaching decisions on these matters American aircraft are being used to transport British troops and their families to the Commonwealth?

Mr. Jones

That also, I think, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air.

Mr. Shinwell

Do not this and other Questions on the Paper to the right hon. Gentleman indicate that there is considerable ambiguity in this House and elsewhere as to the Government's intentions for the future of the aircraft industry, and could the right hon. Gentleman be a little more specific about the Government's intentions, if not today, in the foreseeable future?

Mr. Jones

There may be some ambiguity in the minds of hon. and right hon. Gentlemen, but there is no ambiguity as to the relative functions of the Service Ministers and myself. The Questions put to me are all concerned with the requirements of the Services. I do not determine the requirements of the Services. I place orders on the industry when the requirements have been formulated.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not somewhat distressing to the right hon. Gentleman that his colleagues should not inform him in specific terms about their requirements, leaving him completely in the dark?

Mr. Jones

The right hon. Gentleman should be aware that certain requirements are being considered by the Secretary of State for Air, but no orders have so far been served on me.

Mr. de Freitas

Is it not the Minister's job to bring before the Government, and especially the Secretary of State for Air, the evidence he has about the disastrous effect on the British aircraft industry of the continued delay on the part of his Service colleagues?