§ Mr. William Rodgersasked the Prime Minister (1) if he will publish a full statement of the separate responsibilities of the Ministry of Aviation Supply;
(2) if he will publish a full statement of the separate responsibilities in relation to civil aviation of the Department of Trade and Industry.
§ The Prime MinisterIn addition to its special responsibility for the Air Corporations, the British Airports Authority and the licensing of civil aviation, the Department of Trade and Industry is charged under the Civil Aviation Act, 1949, with the general duty of organising, carrying out, and encouraging measures for the development of civil aviation and for research relating to air navigation.
In connection with its airworthiness and air safety responsibilities the Department is also concerned with measures for the designing, development and production of civil aircraft and for the promotion of safety and efficiency in their use.
The Ministry of Aviation Supply has assumed the aerospace responsibilities previously carried by the Ministry of Technology. These cover the research, development and procurement of certain ranges of military equipment, mainly aircraft guided weapons and electronics, and the support of the civil aerospace industry, including sponsorship, decisions on launching aid and the operation of certain research programmes.