§ Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Aviation what steps he has taken to ensure that in future the Government plays a bigger rôle in the country's civil aircraft programme than it has in the past; and to what extent they are now taking a greater share of the responsibility for market studies and for formulating new requirements for civil aircraft, as recommended in the Plowden Report.
§ Mr. StonehouseAs I told the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Burden) on 25th January, planning the future civil aircraft programme is primarily a matter for the manufacturers. But the Government is making a substantial contribution through launching aid on major projects, and naturally plays a big part in collaborative projects such as the Concord.
My Department's market research team began work in March, 1965, and has since been increased in numbers.—[Vol. 739, c. 280–1.]