HC Deb 26 January 1970 vol 794 cc973-4
1. Mr. Marten

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the proposal for a BAC3–11 aircraft.

57. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Technology what reply he has sent to the British Aircraft Corporation on the proposals for BAC3–11 aircraft.

The Minister of Technology (Mr. Anthony Wedgwood Benn)

Discussions between my staff and the British Aircraft Corporation about its proposal for the BAC3–11 are continuing.

Mr. Marten

I recognise the great care which the Minister has to exercise in these cases, but he will realise the anxiety of many of us that this has been going on for rather a long time, and that many are afraid that we might miss the market. Can the right hon. Gentleman be more explicit about the date when he perhaps hopes to arrive at a decision?

Mr. Benn

It has been discussed for a long time, but the proposals themselves came forward only recently. This is a very good example of partnership between Government and industry, and I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for supporting us in this. There is no risk of missing the market, but we need to consider this against very strict economic criteria.

Mr. Dalyell

Does not my right hon. Friend find it rather odd that, in circum- stances like this, the Conservative Party should seem to disavow any kind of continuing dialogue or partnership between Government and industry?

Mr. Benn

It is a curious coincidence that on the day after the speech of the right hon. Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph), in which he said that the Government should move out of industry, we have a further appeal from his hon. Friend for Government money—[HON. MEMBERS: "Assistance."]—to be made available for this private enterprise aircraft. I shall be interested to know the view of the Opposition.

Sir K. Joseph

If the right hon. Gentleman undertakes to read my speech in full—I shall send it to him—he will realise that it referred to the small sector, but a very important one, of British industry, of which the Government are clients. Will he accept that it is wrong for the Government to interpret the whole of British industry as being in the same state as about 10 per cent. of British industry of which the Government are clients?

Mr. Benn

The Government are not clients for the BAC3–11. The airlines are clients, and after about five years of deafening silence the right hon. Gentleman ought to consult his colleagues before he makes weekend speeches like that one.