Mr. Philips Priceasked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of probable redundancy in the aircraft industry in certain parts of the country, he will take steps to induce aircraft firms to co-operate more in the spreading of orders and in design and research.
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§ Mr. Aubrey JonesAs I have said on several occasions, it is my policy to encourage co-operation between aircraft firms in all aspects of their aeronautical activities in the hope that the industry will reshape itself into stronger units. Only in this way will a healthy industry emerge from the present difficult circumstances and employment at a high level be secured. The sharing of orders, on the other hand, would not of itself necessarily make for the efficiency and prosperity of the industry, and a gradual but appreciable reduction in the numbers employed seems likely. Diversification of work will, of course, help to mitigate the effects of a decline in aircraft orders.