HC Deb 16 February 1966 vol 724 cc1302-3
15. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on his predecessor's recent visit to Bonn.

Mr. Mulley

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend and Federal German Ministers resolved that both Governments should collaborate in partnership with other countries in the aerospace field. Discussion ranged over a number of particular items of joint interest, including space research, civil transport aircraft, military aircraft and guided missiles. Possibilities for Anglo-German co-operation, and participation in joint projects within a European framework, are being pursued in further studies and discussions.

Mr. Mills

Could the right hon. Gentleman say exactly what it was that his predecessor advised the European consortium regarding the rôle of Short and Harlands in the development of the VFW 614?

Mr. Mulley

Discussions have been going on for some time between the German firm and Shorts and also Hawker Siddeley. The respective parts which might be played by these two United Kingdom airframe firms remain to be settled since the discussions are still continuing.

Mr. Frank Allaun

If Anglo-German production of guided missiles was discussed, as the Minister says, is not this getting nearer and nearer making Germany a nuclear Power? How much nearer can we get?

Mr. Mulley

My hon. Friend must realise that it is possible and desirable to have guided missiles without a nuclear component. I can assure him that discussions which are still going on in this field pay full regard to the position of the German Government under the Brussels Treaty.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise, with reference to the Question, that those whose work is in jeopardy at Shorts will need a much more detailed and perhaps franker exposition of what happened at Bonn than we have had so far?

Mr. Mulley

I am reserving further remarks for the three or four further Questions on this matter on the Order Paper from the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends.