HC Deb 27 April 1965 vol 711 cc204-5
18. Mr. Charles Morrison

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he has taken to ensure that the British electronic industry will have the opportunity to tender for electronic equipment to be used in military aircraft purchased from the United States of America.

Mr. Cousins

Responsibility for inviting tenders for aircraft equipment rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation, in association with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, who is responsible for determining the requirements of the Services. I am in touch with both my right hon. Friends on the subject raised by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Morrison

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what success he has met with in his discussions with his two right hon. Friends? Also, can he say whether he has managed to achieve anything on behalf of the British electronics industry?

Mr. Cousins

That is a series of questions which, in my opinion, should more properly be put down as separate questions. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I am entitled to that opinion, I assume. The electronics industry has, through its association, discussed this project with me. It has made its views known. I have represented those views to the appropriate Ministries. Obviously we shall have regard to the points which it has made.

Mr. Fell

Does the Minister realise that the electronics industry is greatly worried by the fact that many Government contracts are being placed in the United States for equipment for which there is a British equivalent in price, delivery and performance? Will he get together with his hon. and right hon. Friends to see whether a plan can be worked out for issuing a directive that British equipment shall be ordered when the price, delivery and performance are equivalent to those of American firms?

Mr. Cousins

All the points which the hon. Gentleman has raised were drawn to my attention by the Electronics Engineering Association. They have been represented to the appropriate Ministries and we shall keep them in mind in discussing the question of equipment in British aircraft. There is a very considerable problem of time delay, argued by the aviation industry, as against our own times.

Mr. Marples

As the right hon. Gentleman is in charge of and is really sponsoring the electronics industry, am I right in thinking that in answer to a supplementary question earlier he said that the British electronics industry would have the right to tender for electronics equipment supplied for American aircraft?

Mr. Cousins

The right hon. Gentleman is quite incorrect in assuming that that reply was given. But the British electronics industry is entitled to tender for equipment, and it does so continuously.