HC Deb 23 June 1965 vol 714 cc1736-7
13. Mr. McMaster

asked the Minister of Aviation what arrangements he is making for consultation between Messrs. Arthur D. Little and the Plowden Committee before the presentation of their respective reports on the part to be played by Short Brothers and Harland in the aircraft industry, and on suitable avenues for diversification of the company's activities.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Government will be kept informed of progress in the investigations by A. D. Little Ltd. into redeployment at Shorts, and by Lord Plowden's Committee of Inquiry into the aircraft industry where this touches on Shorts. My right hon. Friend, the First Secretary of State and myself, will ensure that any information emerging from the inquiries of one of these bodies which affects the work of the other is promptly passed across.

Mr. McMaster

Does not the Minister feel that it would be better if there were direct co-operation between these two Committees, and, in view of the progress made at Shorts with existing work, will he expedite the presentation and putting into effect of the reports of these two bodies?

Mr. Jenkins

As soon as the reports are received—one by myself and one by my right hon. Friend—we will expedite putting them into operation. It is better to work it in that way because, although the A. D. Little report is concerned entirely with Shorts, while it is an important part, Shorts is only a very small part of the Plowden Committee's report.