HC Deb 06 July 1966 vol 731 cc399-400
1. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Aviation what conclusions he has come to as a result of the Plowden Committee Report.

The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Frederick Mulley)

The Government's preliminary views were outlined in the debate on 1st February. We are discussing these matters with the industry and I hope in due course to be able to let the House have our more considered conclusions.

Mr. Hastings

Would the Minister agree that what the industry urgently needs to know is, first, what it has to develop and make in the years ahead, and secondly, with whom it has to deal? In spite of the Plowden inquiry, is it not a fact that it has existed in a state of perpetual uncertainty for the best part of two years? Is it not madness to continue to treat in this way an industry which in May alone was responsible for over £24 million worth of exports?

Mr. Malley

I agree that in all industries certainty is desirable. But I would not accept that all responsibility rests with the Government, just as I do not accept for the Government credit for the industry's excellent export record. Equally, decisions about what aircraft it makes, and so on, are as much, if not more, for the companies than for the Government. On the defence side, which is the Government's particular interest, the defence requirements for the years ahead are stated in the Defence Review.

Mr. Edelman

Would my right hon. Friend say what steps he has taken to convene a European conference of aircraft producers, as recommended by the Plowden Committee?

Mr. Mulley

The Plowden Committee recommended a conference of European Aviation Ministers. Until it is clearer what kind of useful agenda can be drawn up for such a meeting, I do not think that it is worth calling a conference. I hope that it may be possible to do so later in the year. I have met a great number of my colleagues in the last few months.

Mr. R. Carr

Does not the Minister recollect that the Government deliberately took the debate on the Plowden Report, to which he referred, on a"take note"Motion so that they could hear the House's views before making a decision? The Plowden Report has been before us for seven months. How much longer will the Government sit on it?

Mr. Mulley

It is not a matter of sitting on the Report. A number of the 23 detailed recommendations have been already implemented. But the House will agree that before taking any definite decisions on the major matters it would be right to discuss them fully with the industry.