Concorde

HC Deb 26 June 1972 vol 839 cc973-6

4. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he proposes to take to refute statements about Concorde, promoted by people with a financial interest in the denigration of the project.

The Minister for Aerospace (Mr. Michael Heseltine)

Concorde's current tour is an eloquent indication of our determination to demonstrate the capabilities of this aircraft.

Mr. Adley

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the continuing Government support for the project. Is he aware that there is in existence an organisation dedicated to the denigration of Concorde? Many of my constituents wonder what the Government are doing about these weird professional Concorde "knockers" whose job prospects seem to depend on the creation of damaging propaganda. Will he do his best to refute this propaganda and give early opportunities to the public to see Concorde for themselves and to make up their own minds?

Mr. Heseltine

I believe that recent events have proved Concorde's ability to more than hold it sown with those who have a financial interest in knocking the project. I have decided that Concorde, having completed its tour of so many overseas capitals, should return to London next Saturday. I am arranging that, in the limited time available before the resumption of its test programme, all hon. Members shall have an opportunity to see the aircraft as guests of BOAC next Monday, although it will not be possible because of the numbers involved for everyone to board the aircraft. Further, Concorde will be on display to the public for part of next week-end.

Mr. Sheldon

I do not know who the "knockers" are to whom the hon. Gentleman is referring. Is not he aware even at this late stage that there are still serious objections to the over-enthusiastic information being supplied by his Department? Is not he further aware that the cost of the project has at all times exceeded the Department's expectations? It is not good enough to attack those who have raised reasonable objections and to dismiss them as "knockers".

Mr. Heseltine

In any democracy it is right that legitimate objections should be raised, and they have been raised and considered by Governments from both sides of the House. It has been decided that they do not overwhelm the very real arguments for proceeding with the project. I think that my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-East, (Mr. Adley) has a serious point when he speaks of those who have a clear financial interest in delaying the purchase of Concorde—

Mr. Sheldon

Who? Name them.

Mr. Heseltine

Perhaps I might be allowed to answer the question. I do not think it requires the most sophisticated appraisal of sales prospects to believe that directors of certain American airlines have a financial interest in at least delaying, if not removing altogether, the possibility of buying Concorde, If they put forward arguments which could be reasonably interpreted as being aimed more at delaying their own financial commitments than at a serious appraisal of the aircraft, it is not unreasonable that people should see them for what they are and not expect these particular arguments to be blown up for more than they are worth.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

Would my hon. Friend see that those hon. Members who have a significant number of Concorde workers in their constituency are not just allowed to view Concorde but are able to take a trip in it?

Mr. Heseltine

I very much appreciate my hon. Friend's interest in this matter. She and the whole House will be aware that approximately one in every four Members of the House has employees in his or her constituency engaged on the Concorde project. I am sure that she will forgive me when I say that her long-term interest must be that Concorde remains at Heathrow for the minimum time so that it can get on with its test programme.

Mr. Mason

The hon. Gentleman has accepted responsibility for this Question and he ought to tell the House who are these "knockers" who have a financial interest in denigrating this project. Is he not aware that there is still some concern, and will be continuing concern, on two or three grounds? First of all there is the noise of the aircraft on take-off, flyover and landing. Is he aware that it is to be the noisiest aircraft of any of the new generation aircraft for years to come? Secondly, there is the price of the aircraft and, thirdly there is the financing of its sales to BOAC. Is he aware that this latter must be causing some concern to the major airlines, as is shown by the fact that Air France and the French Government have still not reached an agreement?

Mr. Heseltine

I am only too glad to debate these matters with the Opposition. If the right hon. Member, through the normal channels, would like to seek a debate on the issue, I am sure that my hon. and right hon. Friends would wish to consider this most interesting development of doubts from hon. Members opposite, now that they do not carry the burden of taking any decisions. I am sure the right hon. Gentleman fully appreciates that any development or prototype involves uncertainties by the mere definition of what one is trying to achieve. I believe that the whole country appreciates that what Concorde has achieved over the last three weeks is one of the most remarkable prototype sales campaigns that has ever been undertaken.