HC Deb 14 June 1971 vol 819 cc22-3
26. Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has now received from British aircraft manufacturers for assistance in funding a feasibility study of reduced take-off and landing techniques; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. David Price

We have had proposals from the British Aircraft Corporation and we expect some from Hawker Siddeley Aviation. We will reply to them when they have been studied in depth.

Mr. Onslow

How soon does my hon. Friend expect that to be? Will he take this opportunity of reassuring the British aircraft industry that he sees no danger that this area, in which Britain still has a lead over the rest of the world, is one in which we may be overtaken by competitors for the lack of necessary Government stimulation and support?

Mr. Price

I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no lack of Government interest and support for appropriate projects, when they can be clearly defined. We have to look at the possibilities of international collaboration in the whole of this area.

Mr. Dalyell

In the light of the recent American-Italian project, should this not be taken up very urgently indeed?

Mr. Price

The hon. Gentleman must realise that there are many reasons other than purely designing aircraft, namely, the question of the economic operation, the noise level, planning considerations and above all the market. It is important to try to get these things right before starting on a particular project.

Mr. Wilkinson

When taking an interest in "appropriate projects" could my hon. Friend tell me exactly which sort of project he believes is appropriate? Is it the type of airliner such as the 100-seater medium-haul class, because this House and the country and, above all, the British aircraft industry would like to know.

Mr. Price

This is exactly what my hon. Friend's original Question was all about, the feasibility study phase to define this matter precisely.