§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will state the total
£ million 1968 1971 1972 1973 1974 Total production sales … … 1,637 1,416 1,443 1,302 1,308 The sales of complete aircraft parts, and equipment for space were: complete aeroengines, aeroengine parts
1968 1971 1972 1973 1974 Complete aircraft … … 374 341 210 193 181 Aircraft parts … … 329 308 275 228 222 Complete aeroengines … … 294 119 173 202 200 Aeroengine parts … … 277 295 343 344 300 Equipment for space … … 5 16 19 25 21 The other items included in total production sales are air cushion vehicles and parts, guided weapons and parts, parachutes and parts, repairs and modifications and other products and work done. Development and experimental work done for Her Majesty's Government and other customers has been excluded.
The above figures have been obtained by applying an aerospace input cost index correction to figures published by HMSO in Business Monitor M9 and in the Report on the 1968 Census of Production. Comprehensive figures for other years are not available and spares cannot be distinguished from other parts. No separate figures are available for avionics.
§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied that the level of launching aid and support for civil aircraft projects is being maintained at a sufficient level to ensure the future of the aerospace industry; and if he will publish comparative figures showing the extent of support given in competitor countries together with a measure of the relative sizes of each foreign industry and that of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe Government are determined that the United Kingdom aerospace industry should be viable and654W value in 1975 terms of production by the United Kingdom aerospace industry for each of the last 10 years broken down into (a) airframes—separating spares and original equipment, (b) engines—separating spares and original equipment, (c) avionics—separating spares and original equipment and (d) space equipment.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe total sales of aerospace products by United Kingdom firms in the years 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974, corrected to July 1975 input prices were:
competitive in the future. The comparative figures which the hon. Member seeks are not available.
§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he expects to be able to indicate to the board of his proposed nationalised aerospace construction industry what rate of return her Majesty's Government expect upon its investment therein.
§ Mr. KaufmanMy right hon. Friend will set financial duties for British aerospace under Clause 10 of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill. These could take various forms, including a rate of return on capital employed, but under Clause 10(4) he must be satisfied that they are likely, taken together, to result in an adequate return on the capital employed.
§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry to what he attributes the present high level of aerospace exports; and to what extent he expects these to continue over the next five years.
§ Mr. KaufmanAerospace exports have risen in real terms over recent years thanks to determined efforts by the industry, particularly in the aeroengine and equipment sectors. I would expect those 655W companies being taken into public ownership to be better able to make the most of future export opportunities.