§ 7. Mrs. Haymanasked the Secretary of State for Industry when he proposes next to meet the chairman of British Aerospace.
§ The Secretary of State for Industry (Mr. Eric G. Varley)I shall meet the chairman of British Aerospace later today.
§ Mrs. HaymanAt that meeting, will my right hon. Friend be able to give 1005 the chairman news of Government approval for the HS146 project, which is vital not only to my constituency but to the whole of the civil airframe industry?
§ Mr. VarleyI shall be discussing with the chairman of British Aerospace collaborative possibilities and the HS146. I ask my hon. Friend to await the views of the Government, which will be set out later this afternoon by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State when he speaks in the debate initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Walker).
§ Mr. TebbitWhen the right hon. Gentleman next sees the chairman, will he make it plain who is responsible for the overall market strategy of the corporation? Is it the chairman and his board, or is it the Secretary of State?
§ Mr. VarleyWe look to British Aerospace to give the Government advice about the commercial benefits of collaboration, of the HS146 and of other such projects. However, at the end of the day British Aerospace has to come to the Government for financial resources. We have a view, and we shall make that view known. At the end of the day we shall look to the board of British Aerospace to give us the best advice available.