§ 16. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs exist in the aerospace industry in the Principality.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsNo precise up-to-date figure is available, but it is estimated that current employment is of the order of 6,000.
§ Mr. JonesWhat is the Secretary of State doing to help the plane makers of north-east Wales? Does he know of the deep concern at the likeihood of British Airways buying an American aircraft rather than the Airbus to replace the aging Trident? Why are the Government so slow to find money for the new Airbus, the A320?
§ Mr. EdwardsI welcome the recent roll-out of the new 800 series of the HS125 and wish that well. However, I have little to add to the answer that the hon. Gentleman has already received from the Department of Trade and Industry. It cannot be for the Government to force British Airways to buy an aeroplane that might not be suitable for it in order to guarantee business for British Aerospace. The risks of doing that are obvious. We might damage the prospects of British Airways and that cannot be sensible.
§ Mr. AdleyWithout wishing to give my right hon. Friend help that he does not need, may I ask whether it is not a fact that, contrary to what the hon. Gentleman said, British Aerospace has not yet made a specific and detailed request for launching aid for the project that the hon. Gentleman mentioned? Therefore, is it not difficult for the Government to give assistance when they have not been formally asked to do so?
§ Mr. EdwardsMy hon. Friend is right. The Government would wish to be satisfied about the potential viability of the project before commiting themselves to any decision and clearly the orders that are received for the project will be an important consideration.