HC Deb 12 November 1959 vol 613 cc591-2
42. Mr. Janner

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that development work on Hovercraft vehicles is now being carried out in the United States of America by the Curtiss Wright Corporation, the Ford Motor Company, the General Dynamics Corporation, the Gyrodyne Corporation of America, Spectronics Incorporated, the Doak Aircraft Company, Piasecki Aircraft, etc.; and whether he is satisfied that adequate steps are being taken in the United Kingdom to maintain full development progress in this field of transport.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. John Rodgers)

I am aware that work is proceeding in the United States on various forms of vertical take-off and ground-effect vehicles but much of this is apparently at the research stage. Among the ground-effect machines those using annular jets may well prove to be the most versatile in their possible uses, and in this class the British Hovercraft, sponsored by the National Research Development Corporation, is, we think the most advanced. The Corporation's subsidiary, Hovercrafts Development Ltd., is in touch with a number of firms about possible manufacture.

Mr. Janner

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to give adequate support to research in this matter, particularly in view of the fact that quite a large amount of success is being achieved by the companies to which I have referred, and it is important that we should maintain a lead in this very important industry which we initiated?

Mr. Rodgers

I agree that we ought to retain the lead that we have. Three directors of Hovercraft Development Limited have already visited the United States to investigate the point raised by the hon. Gentleman in his Question. I can assure him that we are watching this matter. We think we are in the lead and we intend to keep it.

Mr. Albu

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that this is a perfect example of public support by a publicly-owned company of a research and development project?

Mr. Rodgers

I think it is a very good example.