HC Deb 16 February 1966 vol 724 cc1316-7
49. Mr. R. Carr

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he has taken to initiate the conference of European aviation ministers as recommended in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Aircraft Industry, Command Paper No. 2853.

56. Mr. Webster

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he proposes to take to implement section 7 of the Council of Europe Recommendation 448 which refers to the suggestion made in the Plowden Report underlining the necessity of European co-operation in aircraft construction.

Mr. Mulley

As I told the House during the debate on the Plowden Report, we intend to pursue—perhaps about the end of this year—the proposal for a European conference on co-operation in aircraft construction. I welcome the interest being shewn in this matter in the Council of Europe.

Mr. Carr

Is not the end of this year rather a late date? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in view of the great urgency of getting a proper plan for the British aircraft industry in conjunction with Europe, this ought to be dealt with considerably sooner?

Mr. Mulley

I understood that in his own contribution in that debate the right hon. Gentleman said that it would be pointless to have a conference unless a good deal of detailed preparation had gone on. We have to explore the possibities of a number of individual projects before we can have a wider conference. Ministers are probably not the best people, meeting collectively, to determine the technical problems which arise in an industry of this sort.

Mr. Webster

In view of that reply, will the Minister give a progress report on the Spey-Mirage?

Mr. Mulley

I am afraid that I do not understand that question.

Mr. Carr

Will the Minister give further consideration to the question of timing? Anglo-European co-operation is not a new idea; it has been going on for some years. The Plowden Report was in his hands some three months ago. Does he not think that there is time for the detailed preparation in a much shorter period?

Mr. Mulley

The important point is to meet my colleagues and to discuss these projects with them. I am therefore going to France to-morrow. My predecessor had many talks with his European colleagues and initiated two military projects with the French. We shall explore all these possibilities, but I cannot today give a date when I think that it will be feasible for the conference to take place.

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