HC Deb 16 June 1959 vol 607 cc237-8
39. Mr. Beswick

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the future development programme of the SRN1 aircraft.

Mr. J. Rodgers

Responsibility for the development of the Hovercraft, of which the SRN1 is an experimental prototype, rests with a company in which the National Research Development Corporation holds the majority interest. The Corporation provides finance at its own discretion, subject only to Board of Trade approval where required under the Act. A very satisfactory beginning has been made, and I understand that development work is continuing. The Hovercraft is a vehicle for sea or land transport rather than an aircraft.

Mr. Beswick

As the craft operates in the air, I should have thought that it was an aircraft. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that all of us in the House welcome the initial success of this project and we hope that it will eventuate in a major British contribution to transport? However, does he not agree that, although the National Research Development Corporation deserves every credit for its initial recognition of the invention, it seems a little odd that the Board of Trade—especially the President of the Board of Trade—should have this special responsibility for the machine? If further sums of money are to be required, ought not the Ministry of Supply to come into it?

Mr. Rodgers

The hon. Gentleman addressed a Question to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply only yesterday on this matter. We at the Board of Trade feel that we should now let the inventor, the Corporation and the special company they have formed get on with the job and see how well they do.

Mr. Jay

Is this not another case where private enterprise seems to work best with capital supplied by the State?

Mr. Rodgers

I think that it shows the admirable way in which the State can help private enterprise.