HC Deb 19 December 1967 vol 756 cc1070-2
4. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the Rolls Royce 211 engine.

52. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Technology whether he proposes to give public funds to the development of the Rolls 211 engine.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Technology (Mr. John Stonehouse)

The RB211 is a smaller scale version of the RB207 engine selected to power the European airbus. Rolls Royce are offering the engine for the American airbus. The Department is giving financial support to the initial development of the engine and has undertaken to give financial support for full development if a firm order is achieved which promises to lead to substantial production orders.

Mr. Marten

Can the Minister confirm the vital importance to our balance of payments of selling this engine to the Americans for the American airbus? I believe that £1,000 million is involved. Can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the Government intend to see this proposition through right up to the hilt?

Mr. Stonehouse

I confirm that this order would be extremely important for Rolls Royce. That is why the Government have throughout provided every possible assistance to Rolls Royce.

Mr. Rankin

Is my hon. Friend aware of the continuing protests about noise caused by aircraft? Does he realise that this piece of technology is one of the quietest creations which has ever been made, and will he further its advance in every possible way?

Mr. Stonehouse

My hon. Friend is absolutely correct. One of the attractions of this engine will be its quietness.

Mr. Fortescue

Has not the Government's decision not to support the BAC211 made the task of Rolls Royce in selling this engine to the United States far more difficult?

Mr. Stonehouse

Not at all, because the time scale for the BAC211 would have been behind the application of the RB211 in an American airbus.

Mr. Brooks

Is my hon. Friend convinced that the European airbus will have only two engines?

Mr. Stonehouse

There is a later Question about that.

Mr. Onslow

The Minister did not answer the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten). No matter what the Government may have been doing up to now, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance to see this engine through in the matter of finance up to the point at which it can be sold?

Mr. Stonehouse

We are helping to finance the development of the RB211. Fifty per cent, of the cost is now being funded by ourselves. Rolls Royce are highly appreciative of the assistance which we are providing, and we will continue to give that assistance until Rolls Royce are in a position to land the order for the American airbus. When they do that, we will, of course, fund the full development of the RB211.

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