HC Deb 05 May 1965 vol 711 cc163-4W
11. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Aviation what estimate he has now made of redundancy in the aircraft industry, consequent on the cancellation of the TSR2 by the Government.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Redundancies so far announced by the firms amount to about 2,000. So far as the longer terms effects are concerned I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 12th April.

14. Mr. Hamling

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking to absorb workers on the abandoned TSR2 project into the manufacture of civil aircraft.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Government will continue to assist promising civil aircraft projects. In addition, discussions have recently taken place with the French Government on further possible collaborative projects, both civil and military. However, the Government consider it desirable that some skilled manpower should be released by the aircaft industry in the interests of the economy as a whole.