HC Deb 25 February 1970 vol 796 cc359-60W
Captain Kerby

asked the Prime Minister if he will now set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the mismanagement and other factors which led to the bankruptcy of Beagle Aircraft (1968) Limited, a company which was wholly owned by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Benn

I have been asked to reply.

No. As I said on 2nd December, 1969, the decision not to provide additional public funds for Beagle was not a criticism of the management or the workers. The problem was basically one of the scale of operations which could be obtained within an acceptable cost and the Government did not consider that the Board's proposals had sufficient priority to justify further investment in the face of competing demands for public funds. —[Vol. 792, c. 1304–9.]