Executive Class Aircraft

HC Deb 07 December 1959 vol 615 c7

90. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will encourage the building of the executive class of aircraft.

Mr. Sandys

I should like to see our industry get a larger share of the market for executive class aircraft, which we are well-suited to produce in this country. However, in recent years, our manufacturers have found it difficult to compete successfully with American firms, who have the great advantage of a large protected home market.

Mr. Rankin

Is it not possible to give some help to manufacturing firms who are prepared to go ahead with the building of this type of aircraft, in view of the fact that its usefulness to business circles and to industry has been so well demonstrated in a recent flight to Ghana?

Mr. Sandys

It turns on what estimate is made of the potential market. As for Government assistance, it seems to me that the cost of developing a small aircraft of this kind is not very great and should be within the resources of our principal firms.