Aircraft Industry (Hansard, 28 June 1976)

§ 3. Mr. Adley
asked the Secretary of State for Industry under what legislative powers Concorde is funded; whether these powers have altered since 1962; and to what extent the Government's powers to effect intervention in the aircraft industry have increased during the same period.

§ The Minister of State, Department of Industry (Mr. Gerald Kaufman)
From 1962 to 1968 Concorde was funded under the Civil Aviation Act 1949. Since 1968 Concorde has also been funded under the Industrial Expansion Act 1968, later amended by the Concorde Aircraft Act 1973. Apart from these Acts, no Government have needed to take additional powers during this period specifically to intervene in the aircraft industry.

§ Mr. Adley
Is it not clear from that answer that the Government have ample powers to fund the research and development and production of new aircraft? Is it not, therefore, a gross deception on the part of the Minister to pretend that he needs to nationalise the aircraft industry to create new jobs? Will he stop going round the country telling people that they cannot have jobs in the aircraft industry unless he nationalises it?

§ Mr. Kaufman
Of course, the Government have ample power to pour money into private enterprise. We have all the power we need to make donations to private enterprise, which abuses us for giving it money. I realise why the hon. Gentleman is so upset. He was at the British Aircraft Corporation factory at Hurn when the chairman of the joint shop stewards read out a statement denouncing the Opposition for their disgraceful tactics on the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill.

§ Mr. Blaker
Does the Minister recall that I sent him a petition signed by more than 50 per cent. of the total personnel of BAC Warton opposing nationalisation? Does not that suggest that the workers in the industry are less than enthusiastic for the Government's policy?

§ Mr. Kaufman
The interesting thing about the petition which the hon. Gentleman sent to me is that the proportion of the support he claimed did not tally with the actual employees of BAC, so it was a little difficult to understand the basis of the petition. When I went to BAC factories at Warton, Samlesbury, Hum, Filton and other places, all the workers' representatives were unanimous in support of nationalisation.

§ Mr. Watt
Does the Minister of State agree that the Government are deliberately starving Scottish Aviation of orders? Why not order aircraft from that company to meet the needs of the Ministry of Defence in patrolling our fishing limits?

§ Mr. Kaufman
When I visited Scottish Aviation at Prestwick recently, I had discussions with the workers' representatives. They expressed their full support for the Government's policy. They have been particularly ready to support the actions that I have taken. I have taken a great deal of time in getting Jetstreams into Scottish Aviation in order to help 5 the company with its programme, and the workers' representatives have expressed their appreciation of that.

§ Mr. Warren
Why, in the two years that the Government have been in power, have they not funded any new projects under the Civil Aviation Act 1949 as they are responsible for doing?

§ Mr. Kaufman
The reason is that the enterprising private sector has not brought forward any new projects for our consideration. I could ask the Conservatives why in their period of office the only aircraft that was launched was the SB330, which came from a nationalised company.