HC Deb 25 November 1975 vol 901 cc657-8
18. Mr. Stanley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed nationalisation of the aircraft and shipbuilding industries on defence exports.

Mr. William Rodgers

In contributing towards the long-term viability of the aircraft industry and in helping British shipbuilding to prosper in the competitive markets of the world, nationalisation should be good for exports.

Mr. Stanley

Does the Minister agree that among the list of aircraft and shipbuilding companies to be nationalised are included many defence production specialist companies whose export records are among the best in the entire spectrum of British industry? Can the Minister give a single tangible piece of evidence to suggest that nationalisation will increase the export prospects of those companies when, on all the historical evidence of nationalisation, exports are likely to suffer as a result?

Mr. Rodgers

I do not wish to cast doubt on the performance of a number of firms, and, indeed, I should be happy to pay them credit where credit is due. But the hon. Gentleman is not totally in touch with the state and prospects of either the aircraft or shipbuilding industry if he believes that we do not have to think hard again about its organisation. For that reason we shall shortly bring in a Bill providing for the nationalisation of those industries, and it will be given a Second Reading.

Mr. Cronin

Is my hon. Friend aware that in view of the confusion caused by having 125 different shipyards, and the lack of co-ordination between BAC and Hawker Siddeley, nearly all responsible senior officers of the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy look forward to nationalisation with considerable relief?

Mr. Rodgers

It would be wrong of me to comment on my hon. Friend's remarks, but if I had been in his position I should have said precisely the same thing.

Mr. Pattie

Why does the Minister talk about the long-term viability of the aircraft industry when the aircraft industry is viable now?

Mr. Rodgers

I can only say that that is not the view of management or trade unions, as expressed to my right hon. Friends and me.

Mr. Fernyhough

Will my hon. Friend give some estimate of the way in which these very profitable concerns in shipbuilding, ship repairing and in the aircraft industry have managed to take so many hundreds of millions of pounds worth of charity from every Government in power since 1945?

Mr. Rodgers

I am tempted to respond to my right hon. Friend's helpful remarks, but his question will be better dealt with in the Second Reading debate. No doubt it will be answered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry.