HC Deb 17 April 1972 vol 835 cc14-6
15. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Marshall Report concerning British Aircraft Corporation and Hawker-Siddeley.

32. Mr. Millan

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement about the Marshall Report.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 1st March which confirmed that he would consider making a statement when he had received and considered the report.—[Vol. 832, c. 134.]

Mr. Adley

I, too, congratulate ray hon. Friend on assuming his present position, and wish him every success in it. As there are six or seven places which are inordinately dependent on BAC or Hawker-Siddeley for future employment, will my hon. Friend as soon as possible come to a decision either to accept or to reject the recommendations made by the Marshall Committee, because many people are in doubt about the future of the aircraft industry in many places?

Mr. Heseltine

I am aware of the diversity of the aircraft industry. I am delighted already to have visited Bristol since my appointment. I certainly realise the importance of this report. We shall treat it with the urgency it deserves.

Mr. Millan

I emphasise again the urgency of this matter because there is so much uncertainty in the industry and elsewhere. Will the Minister undertake to publish the Marshall Report, or at least so much of it as is necessary, to enable the House to judge the merits or otherwise of the Government's decisions?

Mr. Heseltine

We have undertaken to make a statement about the Marshall Report, but it is an internal report and we have made it clear that it was never intended for publication.

Mr. Wilkinson

If the report suggests that Hawker-Siddeley and BAC should be merged, will my hon. Friend give an assurance that rather than set up a Rolls-Royce-type of monopolistic monolith, he will urge British manufacturers to collaborate with European manufacturers rather than to combine?

Mr. Heseltine

I do not believe that there is a danger of a monoply in the aero-space industries, but certainly we are very aware of and would welcome any developments beyond the national boundary.

Mr. Dalyell

Precisely why should it not be published?

Mr. Heseltine

The hon. Member is familiar with the very large amount of research and consultation work within Government Departments which is not published and which it is a matter for Governments to decide whether to publish.