§ 5. Mr. Cordleasked the Minister of Aviation whether he is aware that delay in the consideration of a follow-on order to de Havilland's can well cause productive inefficiency, a sharp increase in costs, and the possibility of unnecessary redundancy due to their being unable to maintain a continuous flow of work; and if he will take steps to finalise letters of intent for additional military aircraft.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend is well aware of the points mentioned by my hon. Friend, but has nothing to add at present to the answer I gave him on 2nd November. 1959.
§ Mr. CordleI should be grateful if the Minister would do what he can to expedite this matter in view of the urgency and the extreme anxiety of the employees of de Havilland's.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend and the First Lord of the Admiralty fully appreciate the urgency of this matter. I hope that a decision will be made in time to avoid any break in production.