HC Deb 02 May 1960 vol 622 cc670-1
4. Mrs. McLaughlin

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will now give a firm date for the signing of the Britannic contract; and if he will state the number of aircraft which will be ordered.

5. Mr. McMaster

asked the Minister of Aviation, in view of the expected delay in settling the detailed specifications required for a fixed-price contract for the Short Britannic freighter aircraft, whether he will relieve Messrs. Short Brothers and Harland of some part of the burden of financing the initial and more advanced development of the aircraft.

Mr. Rippon

The negotiations for a production order are well advanced and I hope that they will soon be completed. The number of aircraft likely to be covered by this order is 10.

Mrs. McLaughlin

Is my hon. Friend aware that the long continued delay in signing this contract is causing considerable concern in Northern Ireland? Is he further aware of the necessity that this contract be signed soon, if the continued stability of the aircraft industry in Northern Ireland is to be considered, and, indeed, to be a worth-while matter?

Mr. Rippon

My hon. Friend knows that the aim is to have a fixed price contract and that, therefore, detailed price negotiations take somewhat longer, but we are assured that there is no hold-up as a result of the contract negotiations.

Mr. McMaster

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to consider either expediting the order or else, by means of preliminary contracts or some other means, helping to relieve the firm of part of the financial burden involved in developing this plane for military purposes?

Mr. Rippon

I have indicated that the company itself gives this assurance about production. If unexpected difficulties arise, then my right hon. Friend would consider the possibility of an interim contract.

Mr. Chetwynd

Why cannot the Minister get a move on with this? It has been taking ages now to get this contract fixed. Are we to understand that 10 will be the full number of these aircraft to be ordered?

Mr. Rippon

Contract negotiations on this basis are inevitably prolonged. The important thing is that the contract should be right when its details are finally completed. As for the number, I have spoken of the immediate order.

Mr. Wigg

Will the Minister, in considering this matter, have regard to the needs of the defence of this country, and will he be good enough to tell us, if not today, during the Adjournment debate on Wednesday night, what the cost to public funds has been of development of this aircraft?

Mr. Rippon

Matters relating to defence should be referred to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence. I have no doubt that we shall be able to canvass quite a number of questions during the Adjournment debate on Wednesday.