§ Mr. P. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how much money has been spent by his Department on helicopter development annually since 1945.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe development of helicopters, as of other aircraft, is, of course, a matter primarily for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply. My Department has, however, been able to assist in the gaining of experience in the problem of helicopter operation for civil purposes by contributions to the cost of74W the B.E.A. Helicopter Experimental Unit amounting in all to £620,075.
Below is a table showing the sums contributed annually since 1947–48.
£ 1947–48 … … 28,805 1948–49 … … 60,924 1949–50 … … 83,390 1950–51 … … 77,783 1951–52 … … 75,720 1952–53 … … 57,000 1953–54 … … 63,500 1954–55 … … 92,953 1955–56 (to date) … … 80,000