HC Deb 10 February 1965 vol 706 c100W
80. Commander Courtney

asked the Minister of Aviation to what extent there will now be sufficient surplus design capacity within the British aircraft industry to enable him to develop a variable geometry type of aircraft for joint Service or other purposes without the necessity for collaboration with the French or other European Governments.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I should like to refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement on Tuesday, 2nd February, which pointed out that research and development on modern aircraft was so expensive that joint development and production must be the pattern for the future. We are at present in discussion with the French Government on the possibility of collaboration on a light strike-trainer aircraft using the variable geometry concept. The availability of design capacity within our own aircraft industry does not justify forgoing the advantages of such collaboration.