HC Deb 18 October 1971 vol 823 cc358-9
22 Mr Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further proposals he has for the development of the short take-off and landing and vertical take-off and landing projects

Mr. David Price

It is still too early for either the Government or the manufacturers to go firm on a civil S.T.O.L. or V.T.O.L. project, but the Government continue to support exploratory work. Future expenditure will depend upon the results of present discussions with the industry.

Mr. Bishop

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the national concern expressed by the Air League Council, of which I am a member, and by other national organisations, regarding the urgent need for Government initiative for project design and research and development work on a new civil version? Will he regard this as an issue of some urgency and great importance to our future aerospace industry?

Mr. David Price

I assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that we take this matter seriously. As to the urgency of the matter, it is important for the House to realise that many matters are involved in getting the right parameters for a civil S.T.O.L. In the present state of the world market it is by no means certain that it would be right to go ahead quickly, before there has been general agreement on these parameters. They include not only the vehicle itself, but also the total commercial and transportation parameters within which the aircraft will operate.

Mr. Adley

Will my hon. Friend at some stage consider publishing a White Paper showing the relationship between lack of funds available for the V.T.O.L. and S.T.O.L. as a direct result of the cancellation of TSR2, HS681 and P1154?

Mr. Price

I do not think that at this stage it is a question of lack of funds; it is lack of identifying absolutely clearly the correct technological and commercial parameters. We have not yet had a firm proposal from either of our airframe manufacturers.

Mr. Dalyell

What terms of reference have been given to Sir Robert Marshall and his committee in relation to V.T.O.L.?

Mr. Price

The terms of reference given to Sir Robert Marshall relate to an internal inquiry in the Department. With regard to S.T.O.L., this is a continuing study which we inherited from the Labour Government and we are continuing to study exactly the right type of S.T.O.L. for Britain to support.