HC Deb 11 July 1967 vol 750 cc394-5
9. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has to extend hovercraft research and development designed to produce fast 4,000 ton-plus hoverships for trans-ocean transport of passengers and freight.

15. Mr. Weatherill

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he now proposes to take to accelerate the design or production of large hoverships in excess of 1,000 tons weight.

31. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a further statement about Government assistance in the development of hovercraft.

Dr. Bray

My right hon. Friend recently appointed a Director of Hovercraft and announced the formation of a National Physical Laboratory Hovercraft Committee. One of its immediate tasks will be to examine the hovership proposals as part of the hovercraft research and development programme. Government support will be considered in the course of this review.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Minister aware that some other countries are spending vast amounts of money on the development of hoverships of up to 5,000 tons, with the aim of carrying bulk freight across the oceans in a matter of a few hours? Will he couple hoverships with the assurances that he has given on hovertrains, so that Britain will not be left behind in this direction either?

Dr. Bray

My hon. Friend has run ahead of events. Other nations are not spending more money on larger hover-ships than we are. The SRN4 is the biggest hovership under construction in the world.

Mrs. Knight

Does the Minister not recognise that for a Government, which three years ago promised to have Britain sweltering in the white hot heat of technological advance, it may be said that they are dragging their feet disgracefully in these matters?

Dr. Bray

On the contrary, we are skimming the waves.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

As a practical step, would the Minister ensure that we go ahead with development of the 200 and 300-ton class of hovership, and will he ensure that we can get a market for these ships, because without that, they will not be worth making?

Dr. Bray

The hon. Member is right. He has taken a close interest in this and other technological developments of the fast ship. He will appreciate that the Government need to examine very closely the wide variety of possible markets for this development.