HC Deb 22 December 1964 vol 704 cc1031-2
12. Mr. Onslow

asked the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, as representing the Minister of Technology, what steps he is taking to provide employment opportunities, within the industries for which his Department is the sponsoring authority, for technicians who may be displaced from the British aircraft industry as the result of cancellation or reduction of the Concord and TSR2 projects.

Mr. Boyden

It is not part of the Minister's responsibilities to provide employment opportunities in the way suggested. As the hon. Member knows, the future of the Concord and TSR2 projects is still under review.

Mr. Onslow

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this Answer will give very little comfort to large numbers of my constituents whose employment has been placed in jeopardy by the Government? Would he not agree that, in any case, we cannot possibly afford any substantial brain drain out of the British aircraft industry at this stage of our technological situation?

Mr. Boyden

No, Sir, I am not so aware, and I hope not. The responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is to look after a redundancy situation if that arises, as has been done under previous Ministries. This will be done, as in the past, if the occasion should arise. The question is theoretical.

Sir J. Eden

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the TSR2 is a prime example of British technological achievement and skill and that the whole future of the British Aircraft Corporation is bound up with the future of this aircraft? Is it not high time also that we had a statement on the future of the Concord, which I understood we were to have before the House rose for. the Summer Recess—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]— before the winter? How much longer are we to wait for this announcement?

Mr. Boyden

I hope that the weather will be as the hon. Member hopes. As the hon. Member knows, a panel has been set up to look into this matter. As for unemployment, I hope the House knows that I am as interested to see that men are in work as anybody.