HC Deb 25 February 1963 vol 672 cc891-2
30. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a further statement on the progress which has been achieved in the basic division of work on the Concord supersonic transport; and what requirements for the equipment and the various systems involved in building both aircraft have been circulated to industry in this country.

Mr. J. Amery

I announced the basic division of work in my statement to the House on 29th November. Draft requirements for equipment and systems will be circulated to suitable British firms as they become available.

Mr. Rankin

But is it not the case that work on some of these systems has already been circularised, such as that for the fuselage system and power plant? Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not the division of work in those cases is in keeping with the ratio he gave to the House in November? Will that ratio apply to the other systems, work on which had yet to be apportioned to the industries concerned?

Mr. Amery

The object of the exercise is to ensure that the overall division should be about 50–50.