HC Deb 05 February 1964 vol 688 cc1139-40
12. Mr. Edelman

asked the Minister of Aviation what action he is taking to supplement the freighter and troop-carrying resources of the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Amery

Contracts have been placed for Hawker Siddeley 748 MF aircraft, Belfasts, and VC10s to meet R.A.F. requirements. Work on these orders is proceeding in accordance with programmes agreed with the Air Ministry. The total value will be over £70 million. A project study of the AW681 has been completed and design work continues under holding contracts pending a decision on full development.

Mr. Edelman

In view of Transport Command's recent strategic experience in Africa, is it not desirable to put into production as soon as possible a short take-off aircraft of the type of the AW681? Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he is to make an announcement about a firm production order?

Mr. Amery

I naturally hope that decisions on these matters will be taken very soon. It is not for me to comment on the needs of Transport Command, although I should have thought that the recent operations in East Africa were conducted with great skill and expedition. The decision on the AW681 will take some time to have an effect on the capacity of Transport Command.

Mr. Lee

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we understood that the AW681 would come into manufacture in Coventry some time ago and that, the way things are going in that part of the country, there will not be a balanced labour force left in Coventry by the time the Government have decided to go ahead with manufacture? Would it not be in the interests of the Government and the people of Coventry if some undertaking could be given which would prevent the large number of redundancies now taking place at this factory?

Mr. Amery

I cannot think why the hon. Gentleman should have thought that we had announced a decision to go into production when we had done nothing of the kind. However, I can assure him that nothing which has occurred, including the delay in announcing the decision, has in any way affected the programme for the development of the AW681. It has been proceeding under a holding contract and design has been going forward normally.

Mr. Lee

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if in some months the decision to go into production is announced, that will not be a great deal of use if in the meantime the labour force has been disbanded, so thwarting the Government's decision? Is not this an occasion on which to make a statement to help the company concerned to keep its labour force together?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman has not understood what I was saying. I was saying that work on the AW681 had continued in accordance with the programme as if a decision for full development had been taken. That is to say, holding contracts have been placed so that work can continue while a decision is being matured in Whitehall. There has been no delay, therefore, in the programme because an announcement has not been made.