§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if the promised contract for the military version of the Argosy aircraft has now been placed.]
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, the negotiations between the Ministry of Supply and the firm, which are an essential preliminary to the placing of the contract, have not yet been completed.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Earl is aware that three months ago the Government stated that the firm had been invited to tender for 20 of these aircraft, and that on that occasion we were informed that the firm were not going to sack anybody but were going to declare short-time working. Now they have said that 1, 000 men at least are going to be sacked, and that the first 250 will go next month. Is it not possible to say what the reason for the delay is, and what can be done to speed things up in order to ensure that these skilled men are not made workless in this way?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I am well aware of the statement made three months ago, and I think the noble Lord will remember that my noble friend Lord Bathurst, in replying, said that in fact this particular contract was not responsible for the present labour position of the firm. That is still true. So far as the actual delay in the contract is concerned, my right honourable friend is making as certain as he possibly can that this is the proper contract and that all modifications, or the more major modifications, have been agreed to before the 944 contract is entered into, so that we do not have the experience of the past where those mistakes were made. It is that which is in fact causing the delay as between now and three months ago. Nevertheless, as I have already said, and as I think my noble friend said, this delay will not of itself make any difference in the labour situation.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, I am most grateful for that explanation. I fully appreciate that we must be absolutely sure about these modifications before the contract is actually placed. In view of these sackings, which are most unfortunate, could the noble Earl give any idea when the contract is likely to be placed, and whether some of these dismissals might thereby be avoided?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I regret to say that I cannot give any specific date. My right honourable friend the Minister of Supply is proceeding in this matter with the greatest possible speed, but again he must make certain that this is a proper contract, properly gone into. I can assure your Lordships, however, that this contract will be signed at the earliest possible moment.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, in view of the success the Government have had in persuading India to take Avro Aircraft, would the noble Earl look into the possibility of trying to persuade some of our partners in N.A.T.O. and members of the Commonwealth to place orders for these aircraft, which would reduce considerably the cost of production?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I will certainly bring that suggestion to the attention of my right honourable friend.