HC Deb 16 February 1966 vol 724 cc1305-6
22. Mr. R. Carr

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will publish a White Paper stating the Government's proposals for the future of the aircraft industry with particular reference to the industry's need for a balanced programme of development projects and long-term objectives, the short-term measures required to overcome the dislocation caused by the cancellation of previous projects and the steps to be taken to promote further development of collaboration with Europe.

Mr. Mulley

I will consider this proposal.

Mr. Carr

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Government's most welcome assertion in the debate on the Plowden Report, that they want Britain to have an advanced aircraft industry, simply will not carry conviction at home or abroad until the industry is given a programme for the future which will fill the present vacuum? Is he aware that the answer he has just given is totally unacceptable?

Mr. Mulley

I think that perhaps the right hon. Gentleman is not fully seized of the complexities of developing a programme for the aircraft industry. For instance—and I think that he agrees with this—we want to seek partnership arrangements with our European allies and this inevitably takes longer than devising a programme of one's own. For this purpose, I am going to France to discuss the matter with my French colleague—the first opportunity to do so since the new French Ministers took office. I cannot anticipate the Defence White Paper to be published next week but it will announce fully the Government's intentions for military aircraft.