§ 20. Mr. Rossasked the President of the Board of Trade how far the development of the hovercraft has progressed; and what prospects there are of commercial orders being placed for each type.
§ Mr. D. PriceMy right hon. Friend is informed by the National Research Development Corporation that four licensed constructors have built experimental prototypes which have been successfully demonstrated. Each of these firms is energetically seeking orders.
§ Mr. RossCan the Minister give us any indication When it will be commercially saleable? Can he further say how much public money has so far been advanced towards this worth-while project?
§ Mr. PriceWith regard to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, if he likes to put down a specific Question on that point, or to write to me, I shall try to provide the information, but as I explained earlier we do not accept day-to-day Depart- 18 mental responsibility for the internal running of the Corporation. As to when hovercraft are likely to be a commercial success, I think that the firms concerned would very much like to know the answer to that themselves. In fact, one cannot say. It is in the nature of such a development that one cannot say with certainty, but one is hopeful that orders will be coming soon.