HC Deb 20 November 1963 vol 684 cc958-9
2. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he has yet decided which engine is to be used in the AW 681 military transport aircraft.

Mr. J. Amery

I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

Mr. Wigg

It is months now since the right hon. Gentleman made a statement about this aircraft, and is he aware that since that time there have been doubts first of all as to whether Bristol Siddeley would supply the engine or whether Rolls-Royce should supply the engine? May we be told whether the aircraft is to be cancelled, or whether it is just that the right hon. Gentleman cannot make up his mind about the right engine?

Mr. Amery

I hope to make an announcement shortly, as I said, but let me assure the hon. Member that the delay will in no sense retard the development of the aircraft itself.

Mr. McMaster

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House whether this aircraft is still planned to have vertical take-off capacity?

Mr. Amery

As I have said, I think on more than one occasion, in the House, it will be so designed as to be capable of being developed with vertical take-off capacity.

Mr. Cronin

Bearing in mind that the operational requirement for this particular aircraft was made three years ago, is not this delay particularly insupportable?

Mr. Amery

There is no delay in the development of the aircraft but merely a delay in the announcement of my decision.

Mr. Wigg

Surely, if the aircraft is to fly it has got to have an engine. If the Minister has not made up his mind about the engine, when will he?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman misunderstands the point. The delay in announcing a decision about the aircraft will not delay the time in which the aeroplane is introduced into service.