§ 7. Mr. R. Carrasked the President of the Board of Trade what decisions he has now reached about the re-equipment programme of British European Airways; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 17. Mr. Hastingsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether British European Airways will be in a position to met its forecast requirements for seats during the 1970s with British aircraft.
§ 21. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy concerning the re-equipment of the fleet of British European Airways.
§ 34. Mr. Onslowasked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to reach a decision on British European Airways' future aircraft requirements.
§ Mr. JayI must ask hon. Members to be patient a little longer. As I informed 2120 the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) on 14th June, a complex of questions is involved which I am still discussing with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology and others concerned. I am aware of the need for an early decision but I am equally anxious to reach the right one.—[Vol. 748, c. 553.]
§ Mr. CarrI appreciate the difficulties, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the bad effect of this long-continued policy indecision on the future of British European Airways? Is he further fully aware of the importance which this decision will have on Britain's capability in airframe design, without which we cannot indefinitely maintain our leadership in aero-engine design?
§ Mr. JayI am fully aware of the importance of this question, but it is not a case of indecision on our part. Unfortunately, this decision, for reasons which the right hon. Gentleman knows, is linked with decisions concerning both the European airbus and its American counterpart. I am extremely anxious to clear this up as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. HastingsOn the question of the European airbus, has any decision yet been taken about configuration? Is it to have two engines or three?
§ Mr. OnslowDoes the right hon. Gentleman understand that if the European airbus is an aircraft in which the airframe design is conceded to another country it will be of correspondingly less importance to this country? Does he agree that it is of vital importance that men in the aircraft industry should have some certainty about continuity of work? The BAC211 could do much to provide this.
§ Mr. JayOur objective is to ensure the best result from the point of view of the United Kingdom balance of payments and also the airframe and aero-engine industry of this country.
§ Mr. RankinWill my right hon. Friend also give close attention to the fact that B.E.A. firmly believes that the BAC211 is the aircraft that best suits its needs?