HC Deb 14 July 1975 vol 895 cc1049-50
19. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals have been put to his Department regarding the development of the next generation of civil aircraft to be constructed in Europe.

Mr. Kaufman

No specific proposals have been put to Her Majesty's Government but obviously it is sensible to share projects whenever it is mutually advantageous to do so.

Mr. Whitehead

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, but is he aware that over the past few years over 50 American aircraft for every two or three manufactured in Europe have been sold to European airlines? Is he, therefore, aware that in future the publicly-owned British aviation industry should be devoting itself to collaborative European projects? Does he agree that it would be a mistake to go ahead with projects initiated purely in this country?

Mr. Kaufman

That will depend upon the project. I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that there is considerable scope for co-operating with other European countries, and where appropriate we shall certainly do so.

Mr. Tebbit

Would it not be a good idea if the hon. Gentleman's Department put forward proposals instead of sitting there on its bottom waiting for something to happen?

Mr. Kaufman

What we are waiting for at the moment, on whatever part of our anatomy we are resting, is a paper which is coming forward from the European Commission. When we receive that paper we shall consider it and respond accordingly.

Mr. Hooley

Can my hon. Friend say when we shall get action on the HS146?

Mr. Kaufman

Not without notice.

Mr. Warren

Surely that reply is unacceptable to both sides of the House. The hon. Gentleman has been funding that project for many months. Have not the workers and the House a right to know what progress has been made?

Mr. Kaufman

The hon. Gentleman knows that a report has been in preparation on this matter. We are considering the report and we shall come to our conclusions. I hope the hon. Gentleman will agree that when the Opposition are advocating the further outpouring of public money via Government expenditure the Government should consider the matter very carefully.

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