HC Deb 06 June 1967 vol 747 cc767-9
3. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the British content of the proposed European airbus.

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

It is expected that the United Kingdom would be responsible for 37½ per cent. of the airframe and 75 per cent. of the engine.

Mr. Rankin

Can my hon. Friend say whether or not it is the case that the French, who are going for the jumbo-jet, want commonality of engines and therefore are sticking out for the Pratt & Whitney engine in the airbus?

Mr. Stonehouse

There is another Question concerning the airbus, and I think that I should wait until that is reached before replying.

Mr. R. Carr

Is the Minister aware that the danger into which we are falling is that if we never have the lead on the airframe side we shall one day reach the stage when we no longer have the capacity to take the lead on the engine side?

Mr. Stonehouse

I appreciate this. No final decision has been made on who should take the lead on the airframe. The Question was related to the division of work.

14. Mr. R. Carr

asked the Minister of Technology what decision has now been reached regarding the development and production of a European airbus; and whether he will make a statement.

38. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress he has made in the joint production with France and Germany of an airbus.

Mr. Stonehouse

At the meeting of Ministers in Paris on 9th May it was decided that the industrial consortium working on proposals for a European airbus should produce a design of the aircraft based on two Rolls Royce RB207 engines. A report on this work will be available in early July and Ministers plan to meet again towards the end of that month to consider it.

Mr. Carr

While that report is to be welcomed, as far as it goes, may I ask whether the Minister can give any idea when a firm decision might be expected so that work can begin and so that we can be sure of getting into the market in time and not behind the Americans? Can the hon. Gentleman give us any confidence in the firmness of the decision on the Rolls Royce engine, because he might have heard, as others have, the disturbing reports in Paris?

Mr. Stonehouse

There is no hold-up in the development of the project here. We shall receive the preliminary report of the project design towards the end of July and I hope that a firm decision will then be made to go ahead. The project study will be completed by next spring and then we can begin to develop the first aircraft. To answer the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, our line has always been that it would be better to have a European engine in a European airbus. We have been firm on that and I think that the French and German Ministers have now come round to our view.

Mr. Rankin

While wishing my hon. Friend well in this venture, may I ask him to assure us that in going ahead with the airbus nothing will be done to prejudice the production of an aircraft of 180-passenger capacity, which every operator in Europe now wants and urgently needs?

Mr. Stonehouse

We must consider our priorities here. We have an opportunity of participating in the development of an aircraft with the prospect of a firm European demand. Thus, the economic viability of the airbus promises to be good and we should, therefore, give this development our first priority.

21. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Technology what consideration has been given to the possibility of a European airbus being powered by three rather than two engines.

Mr. Stonehouse

As the majority of European airlines have expressed a preference for a two-engined airbus, the present design study is being made on this configuration based on the Rolls Royce RB207.

Mr. Onslow

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the airbus project is likely to be heading straight for commercial disaster and that the effects of this will be particularly serious for the air engine industry, in terms of its flexibility, if all Rolls Royce's resources are committed to straight competition with the JT9D—competition which Rolls Royce may well lose?

Mr. Stonehouse

I do not agree that the airbus project is heading for, or is facing, commercial disaster. If we can get it going on the conditions which we have laid down, we will be building it on a clear European airline demand, which will establish a market for it and help it to be a viable project.