§ 10. Mr. Mulleyasked the Minister of Supply by what percentage he proposes to reduce orders for military aircraft in the next year, as compared with last year; and what measures are to be taken to prevent a reduction in military contracts from dislocating the development and production of civil aircraft.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesSo far as I can see at the moment I expect next year's aircraft production programme to be about 9 per cent. less than this year's, but I cannot of course anticipate the next Defence White Paper. The answer to the second part of the Question is that the reductions in military contracts placed with the manufacturers of civil aircraft should have little or no effect next year upon the development or production of their civil aircraft. I shall, however, keep the matter closely under review.