HC Deb 25 February 1963 vol 672 cc885-6
21. Mr. Edelman

asked the Minister of Aviation what decision he has made in connection with the procurement of aircraft to the specification OR 351.

26. Mr. McMaster

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now announce details of the order for a British short take-off and landing tactical transport to replace the Hastings and Beverley aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

31. Mrs. McLaughlin

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will now announce the awarding of the contract for a replacement of the Beverley and Hastings aircraft.

Mr. J. Amery

Hon. Members will already have seen what was said in paragraph 36 of the Memorandum to accompany the Air Estimates 1963–64. I expect to make a further statement shortly.

Mr. Edelman

I congratulate the Minister in advance on the decision which he appears to have taken, but would it not be better if, instead of waiting for the defence debate, he gave some firm official information in order to end the general speculation which is taking place in the Press?

Mr. Amery

It is for that reason that I have had to make some interim reply. I am not yet in a position to give a definite reply. It is the duty of the Press, of course, to anticipate, but it is the duty of the Government to confirm.

Mr. McMaster

Will my right hon. Friend, before making a final decision on this question, bear in mind that unemployment now stands at over 11 per cent. in Northern Ireland—that is, one man in eight is without a job? Will he particularly bear in mind the importance of Short Brothers and Harland to the provision of employment in the engineering industry in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Amery

I can assure my hon. Friend that in all this matter the interests of Northern Ireland and the serious problem facing Northern Ireland has been very much in our minds.

Mr. Cronin

Bearing in mind that Operational Requirement 351 first came under consideration in March, 1961, can the Minister explain this extraordinary delay?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman has asked me to explain the extraordinary delay. We are talking about an aeroplane which is going to cost about £2 million or more apiece. We have been exploring the possibility of co-operation with other countries over this. As the hon. Gentleman will have seen, the memorandum states explicitly that we have decided to go for a British aeroplane but it is still finally to be decided where the contract should go. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would agree with me that, in the interests of the national economy, it would be very unwise to take snap decisions on any of these matters and that, since there is no extreme urgency from the point of view of the operational requirement, it has been right to explore every possibility before coming to a decision.

Mr. Stratton Mills

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that a decision will be announced before next Monday's defence debate?

Mr. Amery

I am not in a position to give a definite assurance on that point, but I would hope so.