HC Deb 15 February 1960 vol 617 cc86-7W
Mr. Strauss

asked the Minister of Aviation how much was paid by Her Majesty's Government and the two Air Corporations to aircraft firms in the last financial year for research and development; and how much was repaid by such firms on sales of products resulting from development contracts.

Mr. Sandys

The bulk of the research contracts placed by my Department with industry are in respect of military projects; and it would not be in accord with established practise to disclose the expenditure involved. I am informed that no payments were made to aircraft firms for research and development by either of the Air Corporations in 1958–59.

During that year some £7½ million was paid to my Department in respect of commercial sales of aircraft developed with Government assistance.