§ 90. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Supply the functions of the Transport Aircraft Requirement Committee; how many times this committee has met during the past year; and what recommendations 136W it has made, with particular regard to new types of civil aircraft.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesThe Committee is advisory and its terms of reference are
To keep under review the programme for the development and production of transport aircraft in the light of civil and military requirements, actual and potential, and of developments in other countries and to make recommendations as from time to time may be necessary".On the Committee are representatives of the Ministry pf Supply, Admiralty, Air Ministry, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Treasury, B.O.A.C., B.E.A. and the British Independent Air Transport Association. Since 1st November, 1956, the full committee has met four times and its sub-committees have met six times. It has considered a number of requirements, including the following: a medium/long range jet aircraft for B.O.A.C. which is to be met by the purchase of 35 Vickers VC. 10 aircraft, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on 22nd May; a medium/short range jet aircraft for B.E.A. on which I hope that an early decision will be announced; a supersonic civil transport on which a research study is now being made; the future programme of development of the following projects which at present form part of the civil aircraft development programme—Britannia, Rotodyne, and Orion engine: and an aircraft and an engine project which are not being pursued.The Committee is at present giving consideration to possible requirements for a long-range freighter. In addition it is considering a programme of research and development and is conducting a review of all possible transport requirements of the Services, the Corporations and the independent companies within the next 10 or 15 years and of all projects for the development of transport aircraft which members of the aircraft industry wish to put forward. The co-operation of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors has been sought to ensure that no suitable projects are overlooked.