HC Deb 11 March 1971 vol 813 cc568-9
24. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is taking to safeguard the continued supply of Rolls-Royce engines to all branches of Her Majesty's forces.

Lord Balniel

Her Majesty's Government are taking steps to acquire such assets of Rolls-Royce as are necessary to ensure the continued supply of engines essential to Her Majesty's Forces.

Mr. Hamilton

Would the hon. Gentleman regard it as a dangerous thing if any of these Rolls-Royce facilities fell into foreign ownership? Will the Minister assure the House that the Government have taken steps to prevent that happening?

Lord Balniel

I do not see why the hon. Gentleman should assume that continued private ownership, whether in British or foreign hands, necessarily means that we would lose the Rolls-Royce potential for production of Army equipment.

Mr. George Thomson

Is the Minister aware that, quite apart from aero-engines, a large section of the British Army runs on Rolls-Royce engines of one kind or another? Is the hon. Gentleman really saying that the Government view with equanimity the passing of the supply of these engines for the British Army into foreign hands? Is not that an attitude of astonishing complacency, if that is what the hon. Gentleman is saying?

Lord Balniel

I am aware that much of the motor car industry in this country is owned by foreign companies.

Mr. Hamilton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the highly unsatisfactory nature of that answer, I beg leave to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

43. Sir J. Gilmour

asked the Minister of State for Defence what has been the average of expenditure by the Armed Forces in the last three years for the purchase of replacement parts for Rolls-Royce Limited engines.

Lord Balniel

About £20 million.

Sir J. Gilmour

Does my noble Friend envisage that that level of expenditure is likely to continue in the next foreseeable years, as it were?

Lord Balniel

I could not answer that without notice. Perhaps my hon. Friend will raise that point in the debate later, when I will try to ensure that an answer is given.

Mr. Barnett

In regard to the supply of Rolls-Royce engines, may I ask the noble Lord to clarify what he said earlier, when he seemed to imply that he would not mind if supplies came from foreign-owned companies?

Lord Balniel

The Question relates to replacement parts for Rolls-Royce engines and not to the engines themselves. I said that I did not see why we should assume that continued private ownership in Britain, in either British or foreign hands, should necessarily mean that we would lose a Rolls-Royce potential for the production of Army equipment, and this is a statement of fact.