§ 33. Mr. McMasterasked the Minister of Aviation what support the Government are giving to the proposals for the joint design and construction by VFW Fokker and a British aircraft manufacturer of a new twin-jet feeder aircraft for sale to world airlines.
§ Mr. MulleyAs I said on 25th February in the reply given to the hon. Member for Coventry, North (Mr. Edelman),
The Government have agreed, on the basis of a special funding arrangement proposed by the Federal German Government, to the development of the Bristol Siddeley M45H engine chosen by the German company for their VFW614 project.Apart from this collaboration on the engine, we have decided that financial assistance from public funds cannot be made available to enable a British airframe manufacturer to participate as a principal on a risk-sharing basis in a project based on the VFW614 design."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th February, 1966; Vol. 725, c. 163.]
§ Mr. McMasterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Britain has again lost out in an opportunity of sharing with Europe in what might be a valuable earner? In view of the unanimous recommendation of the Plowden Report that we should collaborate with Europe, will the Minister look at this matter again and see whether we cannot join in this project?
§ Mr. MulleyThe Plowden recommendation, and certainly Government policy, is that we should seek profitable and satisfactory co-operative arrangements. This does not mean, and never can mean, that we most join every venture in which we are invited to join. I am not satisfied that the outcome of our participation in this venture would return to the taxpayer the substantial money that our participation on a principal basis would have involved.