HC Deb 02 August 1976 vol 916 cc1202-4
18. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to conclude his consideration of future development of the Hawker Siddeley 146.

Mr. Kaufman

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement during Third Reading of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill and to the subsequent Press statement issued by my Department on Friday 30th July.

Mr. Allaun

As it is 18 months since this project was put on ice, is it not time that my hon. Friend took it off ice and provided funding for continued development? Would not this project provide alternative work for aircraft workers if arms spending is cut, as I hope it will be?

Mr. Kaufman

If my hon. Friend had had the opportunity of hearing my winding-up speech last Thursday night—which was denied to him by Opposition Members—he would have heard that the Government are making available £3½ million extra for the development of the HS146. That will save 400 redundancies in the Hatfield area, retain the momentum of the holding contract and enable the board of British Aerospace when it is set up to make further recommendations about the way in which the project should go ahead.

Mr. Warren

Is the Minister aware that the sum of money that he announced will have to be multiplied by 80 to get the project off the ground? Will he explain to the workers at BAC Weybridge that there will not be any money left for them to be employed on the project as well?

Mr. Kaufman

The hon. Gentleman's figures are entirely inaccurate. As for the workers at BAC Weybridge, had I been allowed to make my statement he would have heard that some 1,500 of them, together with workers at Hurn, will have their jobs saved by the underwriting of five further BAC111s.

Mr. James Johnson

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind not only that this aircraft will provide jobs for the men on Humberside at the Hawker Siddeley works but that it is a winner in the Third World? Does he not agree that it is an ideal plane for landing in the bush and open spaces all over Africa? [Interruption.] Let us forget Amin for a moment. It is an ideal plane for landing in open spaces all over the world.

Mr. Kaufman

This plane has many advocates, and that is one of the reasons why we have decided to extend the holding contract and spend money on it. I am aware that the workers at Brough are enthusiastic about the project since I had an opportunity of meeting them and hearing workers speak in its support. I also agree with the slogan they posted all over the factory stating "Buy Brough—Buy British".

Mr. Warren

If my figures are wrong, what are the right figures? The hon Gentleman must know them.

Mr. Kaufman

When we get the industry into public ownership and figures of this kind are no longer commercially confidential to Hawker Siddeley Aviation, I shall be able to consider the hon. Gentleman's question on its merits.