§ 7. Mr. Carterasked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he has initiated discussions with his Continental counterparts with a view to establishing a European aerospace industry.
§ Mr. CorfieldI think we must accept that further action on the initiative referred to in my statement to the House on 2nd December, 1970, must wait until the Rolls-Royce situation is clearer.—[Vol. 807, c. 1286–94.]
§ Mr. CarterWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he will not agree that Britain by itself can no longer afford to support an aircraft industry which locks up one-third of all our research and development costs in one year and one-third of all our highly skilled manpower? Will he not agree that the only way Britain can play its rightful part in the aircraft industry in the world is within a European framework?
§ Mr. CorfieldYes. I do not think I dissent from anything the hon. Member has said.