§ 6. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Aviation when the Britannic Freighter Aircraft contract was signed; how many aircraft have been ordered; when they are likely to be in service; and what further orders are to be placed.
§ 17. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of Aviation when he expects Her Majesty's Government to agree the final details of the Britannic order; and whether he is prepared to increase the number of aircraft to be made available to Her Majesty's armed services by this order.
§ 20. Mr. Prenticeasked the Minister of Aviation whether the contract negotiations for the Short Britannic freighter aeroplane have yet been completed; and when he expects to announce the placing of the final order.
§ Mr. RipponI have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) on 25th October.
§ Mr. HallIs my hon. Friend aware that negotiations on the Britannic contract have been going on since at least February, 1959? Is it not time, for the sake of the Army, which badly needs transport aircraft, as well as of the company, that a decision was arrived at?
§ Mr. RipponThe negotiations for a fixed-price contract have necessarily been complicated, but my right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement before the Christmas Recess. As for the work itself, an interim contract was placed and the firm is pressing ahead with the essential work.
§ Mr. McMasterWill my hon. Friend consider the desirability of expediting the order, so that the firm can keep to a timetable of delivery fixed almost two years ago? Will he further consider whether some of these planes should be provided to the Army so that it will be truly mobile by the mid-1960s?
§ Mr. RipponWe are certainly aware of the necessity of keeping to the timetable for the production of the aircraft. Further orders for the Services are matters for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence.
§ Mr. PrenticeDoes the hon. Gentleman recall that in his Answer on 25th October he said that negotiations were then in their final stage? Can he give some more information about this? When will there be a real sense of urgency? Is he further aware that unemployment in Northern Ireland rose by more than 5,000 between mid-October and mid-November? Does he not think that any Government which could do anything to expedite the provision of new work in the area should show a sense of urgency?
§ Mr. RipponWhat I have tried to explain to the House is that there is no direct connection between the work being done on the plane and the settlement of the details of a very complicated contract.
§ Mr. StraussCan we have an assurance that the holding up of the signing of the contract has had no effect on the work being done by the firm and is in no way delaying any further work which is in contemplation?
§ Mr. RipponIt is clear that the firm has been able to proceed with the essential work under the interim contract, which was signed earlier this year.