Mr. R. Duckworthasked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether the acquisition by the State of the jet propulsion discovery will restrict its use to the State or whether, and on what terms, private enterprise will be allowed to develop its application.
§ Sir S. CrippsSeveral private enterprise firms are already engaged in developing jet propulsion and other gas turbine engines under Government contract, and with facilities largely supplied by the Government. The object of acquiring one of these firms, Power Jets Ltd., is to establish a centre for the investigation of gas turbine problems. The results of these investigations will be available to the private firms engaged on gas turbine work to supplement their own researches. There will not, therefore, be any restriction on private enterprise. On the contrary, it will be assisted and stimulated by the proposed new arrangement.