§ Sir A. Gridleyasked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he can make a statement explaining the necessity for the State to acquire the business concerned with the development of jet propulsion engines; and whether this is contemplated as a permanent or temporary arrangement.
§ Sir Stafford CrippsYes, Sir. Development of gas turbine engines has reached a stage at which the national interests require the setting up of a permanent Government-owned research centre of gas turbine technology if the full potential benefits to be derived from this new type of power plant are to be secured. Re-
214WMinistry's staff at the dates mentioned are shown in the following table:
sources, particularly of building labour and materials, are already so strained, however, as to preclude the possibility of constructing an entirely new centre, and accordingly I informed the directors of the Company that it would be necessary for the Government shortly to retake possession of the factory now occupied by the Company, which had already been provided at the cost of the State, so as to form the nucleus of the National centre. At the same time, appreciating that the result of such action would be that the Company would perforce remain inactive until after the cessation of hostilities, I offered, as an alternative, to buy out the Company entirely. In fact, by the generous gift of Group Captain Whittle, the State had already acquired a considerable interest in the undertaking. The directors decided to adopt the alternative of purchase by the State, and an agreement has now been entered into which is subject to ratification by the shareholders.