§ 23. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Aviation if he will give more details of his proposals for improving national aviation policy.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) on 21st November.
§ Mr. RankinBut does the right hon. Gentleman realise that we can have no real national policy for aviation till he gives a decision with regard to the building of a supersonic airliner? Can he tell us when he is going to get beyond the project stage and come to the contract stage? Does he realise that the Convair Company in America has now reached the contract stage and that we 14 shall be left far behind unless the right hon. Gentleman comes to a firm decision on this matter?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI think that we ought to be a little cautious before we place a contract for a supersonic air transport. It is essentially a project which costs a great deal of money and on which a good deal of international co-operation is very worth while. I am trying to secure the latter.