§ 31. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Aviation what firm commitments have been made for the supply of aircraft for civil and military purposes; what is the total value of orders placed; what development contracts have been made: 925 and what is the estimated cost of these, giving individual projects where possible.
§ Mr. RipponThe total estimated value of orders placed by the Ministry of Aviation since 1st April, 1958, for research and the development and production of aircraft for civil and military purposes is approximately £700 million. Of this amount, about £200 million is in respect of research and development contracts. It would not be in the public interest to disclose detailed information about individual projects.
§ Mr. ChetwyndHas the Minister any more money left to put into the aircraft industry in this country, in particular into firms outside the two large Corporations? Are we to take it as a precedent that the Minister of Health was appointed to his Department to make cuts? Has his colleague, who resigned at the same time, been moved into this Department also to make cuts?
§ Mr. RipponWe provide all the money that is necessary to meet the national requirements.