§ 22. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister or Aviation what recent negotiations he has had concerning the Fairey Rotodyne.
§ Mr. SandysThe difficulties to which I referred in the House on 7th December have now been resolved, and the contract for the further development of the Tyne-engined Rotodyne has been signed on the general lines agreed with the Company last August. The proposed purchase of the Fairey Aviation Company by the Westland Aircraft Company should greatly strengthen the organisation, and the Westland Company has given me an assurance that it will go ahead with the Rotodyne project.
§ Mr. ChetwyndI am very glad to hear that reply, but can the right hon. Gentleman say how much the development contract which the Government have signed is worth and when he expects the Fairey Rotodyne to be in commercial flying operation?
§ Mr. SandysIt is not normal practice to give the figures for contracts, but, as this figure has been given before, I can repeat it. The amount is £4 million, which is the figure that we had provisionally agreed with the company last August in the draft contract.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Chetwynd—No. 23.
§ Mr. SpeakerI called the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd).
§ Mr. DoddsOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Owing to the Minister's unsatisfactory Answer—in fact, I did not get an answer—I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.