HL Deb 20 February 1986 vol 471 cc709-11
Lord Boyd-Carpenter

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will discuss with British Aerospace the possibility of collaboration with Aerospatiale and other interested companies in the development of an improved supersonic civil aircraft.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)

My Lords, I understand that Aerospatiale, who were of course British Aerospace's partner in the development and production of the Concorde, have indicated an interest in seeking collaborative partners to conduct studies which would explore the technologies necessary to develop such an aircraft. Any decision to embark upon talks relating to a collaborative civil aircraft programme of this nature must be for the commercial judgment of British Aerospace.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is he not aware of the fact that British Aerospace could not possibly go in for a project of this sort without substantial Government support, and that therefore the view of the Government is of great importance in this matter? Is my noble friend also aware that many of us would deeply regret it if the lead which this country established some years ago in the production of supersonic civil aircraft were to be lost to foreigners?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his two questions. He will, I am sure, appreciate that as part of our industrial policy we encourage collaborative arrangements such as my noble friend's Question suggests. It would be unfortunate were the lead we have in this area to be lost, but at the same time it is up to the company to undertake negotiations within their commercial judgment, and if at some later time any support is required from the Government, then of course the Government would be happy to give proper consideration to such support.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that his statement of evident Government unconcern about this whole question is most alarming? Is the noble Lord really saying that this is a matter that must be left purely to market forces? Is the noble Lord aware that our competitors in these particular fields always have the close support of their own governments in any projects they put forward? Is not the attitude personified by the noble Lord's answers this afternoon thoroughly alarming?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I do not think that my response to my noble friend's supplementary question is at all alarming. In fact, on the contrary it is very supportive.

Lord Strabolgi

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that if the then Government had adopted this negative attitude we should never have had Concorde?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I do not think that my answers to my noble friend this afternoon have been negative in any way at all. In the first instance it is for the commercial judgment of a private sector company in aerospace. If that company, in their commercial wisdom, come to Government, I have said to my noble friend that Government will give sympathetic consideration to any support that may be necessary.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, if I have it wrong I am sure that the Minister will correct me, but his answer to this Question does seem to imply a curious reluctance to develop European co-operation in aircraft.

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, it is for Aerospatiale, who are seeking collaborative partners to conduct certain studies. Any decision of the United Kingdom aerospace industry is for their commercial judgment, as to whether they want to enter into agreements, or collaborative arrangements, with Aerospatiale, or indeed any other European partner. If they decide that it is in their commercial best interests, and if they then come to Government and say, "But we shall need some support", as I have said, Government will sympathetically consider such an approach.

The Earl of Kimberley

My Lords, if British Aerospace decided not to go ahead with Aerospatiale and they wanted to work with somebody like McDonnell Douglas or Boeing, would that also be given sympathetic consideration?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, collaborative arrangements in developments in aerospace and other industrial matters with any suitable partner is to be welcomed.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the attempt of the noble Lord, Lord Bruce of Donington, to read unconcern into his earlier Answer strikes no chord with the rest of us who heard what seemed to me a very satisfactory answer? Is he also aware, referring to a reply to another noble Lord opposite, of the fact that the decision from which the building of Concorde flowed was that of the Government headed by my noble friend Lord Home of the Hirsel?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I am indeed grateful to my noble friend for asking me both those questions, with which I am of course happy to agree.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, can my noble friend the Minister say to what extent, and of what kind, government support is being given to Aerospatiale in their desire for collaboration and co-operation with other countries for an improved version of Concorde?

Lord Lucas of Chilworth

My Lords, I very much regret that I am not able to help my noble friend this afternoon.

Lord Briginshaw

My Lords, is the Minister surprised that the feeling of a number of us remains that his replies are definitely negative?

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