HL Deb 02 November 1967 vol 286 cc153-4

3.24 p.m.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

[To ask Her Majesty's Government how they expect B.E.A. to remain over the next four years a fully commercial undertaking when a decision on their passenger aircraft replacement has been blocked by the Government for over 18 months and their European competitors have been able to place orders for commercially superior passenger aircraft to come into operation by 1969–70.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords there has been no unnecessary delay. After the Government's decision in August, 1966, not to approve B.E.A.'s proposed purchase of American aircraft, it rested with B.E.A., in conjunction with the manufacturers, to propose the most suitable British aircraft. For the first and most urgent part of their requirement they proposed the newly conceived BAC 1–11/500, which was approved by the Government in December, 1966. For the second part they proposed in February, 1967, another newly conceived type, the BAC 2–11. Subsequently it has been necessary to assess all the implications of this purchase for B.E.A., the manufacturers and the Government, and to consider alternatives. It has also been essential to relate B.E.A.'s requirement to the Government's plans for the European air-bus on which Anglo-French-German agreement was reached in Sep tember. Meanwhile, the manufacturers have undertaken preparatory work on the BAC 2–11, as well as on a further version of the Trident which could be an alternative, and this work has resulted in changes in recent weeks both in the characteristics of the aircraft and in the estimated costs. The factors are now sufficiently defined and an early decision can be made.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his long reply, may I ask whether the Government accept that B.E.A. will require a new aircraft before the air-bus becomes available to them? Secondly, in view of the acute shortage of time, would the noble Lord confirm whether Her Majesty's Government may have to reconsider ordering the Boeing 727.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, B.E.A. have already ordered a new aircraft, the BAC 1–11/500 series. That will be in operation some time before the air-bus is available. As for the possibility of the American purchase, that, of course, has been ruled out.