HC Deb 16 February 1966 vol 724 cc1314-5
43. Mr. Hamling

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will publish a White Paper on the progress of existing development projects in the aircraft industry, on their cost so far, on the estimated future cost of these projects, and on how much has been spent in the last eight years on projects which have been abandoned.

Mr. Mulley

No, Sir. It would not be in the public interest to give information about the progress and costs of military projects still under development. A list of cancellations and the costs involved was given on 14th April, 1965, in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. Bence).

Mr. Hamling

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, in view of the pressure for new projects from the benches opposite, it might be salutary if the taxpayer knew just how much the costs had escalated and were escalating?

Mr. Mulley

I think that it would be contrary to the usual practice to give interim statements on military projects, but I have no doubt that these matters will be further discussed when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence presents his White Paper.

Sir J. Eden

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm that there will be much further information about military projects in the Defence White Paper when it is published? Will he assure the House that there is no difference between the White Paper to which he has referred, and which would be published, according to him, towards the end of this month, and the Defence White Paper which, according to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, is due for publication on 22nd February?

Mr. Mulley

When I referred to the White Paper I was using the general term "the end of the month" because it is not my responsibility to publish to the House the statement on the Defence Estimates.