§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Aviation if, in consultation with the Minister of Defence, he has now decided upon the development of the Hobart Radio Plan; whether he intends to develop it; and if he is now asking for tenders.
§ Mr. AmeryAuthority has been given for a number of project studies of the172W Hobart system as the first phase of the development programme. Contracts to this end are being placed. When the results of these studies have been assessed, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence and I will be in a position to take appropriate decisions about development contracts for the many equipments making up this complex system.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Aviation if he will list the companies which have taken an interest to date in contract sharing of the development of the Hobart Radio Plan; and if he will make a statement on his future intentions on this matter.
§ Mr. AmeryA large number of companies have so far provided, after invitation, private venture appreciations or been given study contracts relating to the different parts of the Hobart Plan. The companies include:
- General Electric Co. (Electronics) Ltd
- Associated Electrical Industries Ltd.
- Standard Telephones & Cables Ltd.
- Ferranti Ltd.
- Elliott Bros. (London) Ltd.
- Automatic Telephone & Cable Co. Ltd.. (who designated their subsidiary—British Telecommunications Research Ltd.)
- English Electric Aviation Ltd.
- British Communications Corporation Ltd.
- Redifon Ltd.
- Ultra Electronics Ltd.
- Rank-Bush-Murphy Ltd.
- Pye Telecommunications Ltd.
- Plessey (U.K.) Ltd.
- Racal Electronics Ltd.
- Mullard Equipment Ltd.
- Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd.
Our intention is to tap the resources of our industry as efficiently and equitably as possible.