HC Deb 26 March 1973 vol 853 cc914-6
25. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many civil aircraft projects he is currently considering for Government support.

Mr. Onslow

My right hon. Friend is currently considering two civil aircraft projects for Government support, the Hawker HS146 and the Short SD3-30 or "stretched" Skyvan.

Mr. Tebbit

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that the House is painfully aware of the calls which RB211 and Concorde make on public funds? Will he agree, however, that if we are to have a viable aircraft industry in the late 1970s he must look at each project on its merits and not allow the Treasury to dismiss them on the purely arbitrary basis of no more finance for the aircraft industry?

Mr. Onslow

I can assure my hon. Friend that we are fully alive to the significance of these projects for the future of the companies concerned and the aircraft industry generally. I hope to take a decision on both shortly.

Mr. Benn

Apart from new projects, will the Minister take this opportunity to deny an authoritative report which appears in The Times today that the Government are contemplating a single production line for the Concorde, which would mean withdrawing part of the support from an existing project?

Mr. Onslow

If the right hon. Gentleman thinks carefully, he will see that that is a quite different question. He will recall occasions when he refused to be drawn into such comment.

Mr. Warren

May I ask for slightly more information on my hon. Friend's attitude to the Hawker Siddeley 146? A month ago he told me in a parliamentary answer that he was considering this matter and would answer shortly. We have had the same reply today, and 10 months have elapsed since the company was promised an answer from his Department.

Mr. Onslow

I share my hon. Friend's anxiety that a decision should be announced as soon as possible, and I believe it will be announced very shortly.

Mr. Carter

What is the state of progress of the discussions with the rest of Europe on the setting up of a truly European aircraft industry?

Mr. Onslow

That again is a wider question than that which appears on the Order Paper. I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are aware of the European implications of projects of this kind.

Mr. Hastings

Since the Concorde is connected with this question, may I ask whether my hon. Friend agrees that the extent of current American opposition to the project is the best possible indication that if we keep our nerve it will succeed? Will he give the House a guarantee that the Government will not lose their nerve?

Mr. Onslow

If my hon. Friend reads the Question as it appears on the Order Paper, he will see that it asks about projects which are being currently considered for Government support. I hope he will accept that the Concorde project is receiving full Government support, and I am surprised that the right hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn) seeks to cast doubt on that fact.