§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the dismantling of the hover-train project and test site and the progress made by the Hawker Siddeley Company, and others, on the development of the linear motor under contract to Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MeacherThe Tracked Hovercraft Limited facilities at Earith, including the one mile of usable track, are currently being maintained by the National Research Development Corporation, and no arrangements have been made to dismantle them. A high-level section of track, for which there is no foreseeable future need, will however be demolished shortly.
Contracts for assessment and development of linear motors have been placed with the General Electric Company Hirst Research Centre, Brush Electrical Machines Limited—a Hawker Siddeley company—and Linear Motors Limited. Work is proceeding satisfactorily. A research and development programme committee has been set up to co-ordinate and review work on linear motors and other related work.