HC Deb 20 December 1966 vol 738 c296W
Captain Kerby

asked the Minister of Aviation if it is his intention to concentrate Beagle aircraft production at Shoreham-by-Sea or at Rearsby.

Mr. Mulley

Present plans assume that all the existing facilities at Shoreham and Rearsby will be required for the Beagle programme.

Captain Kerby

asked the Minister of Aviation what is the range of the British light aircraft on which work is already well advanced at the Beagle Aircraft Company.

Mr. Mulley

(1) the B.206 and B.206S: a 7–8 seat, twin-engined aircraft already developed and in production;

(2) the B.242: a 4–6 seat, twin-engined tourer. An early prototype design (B.218) has been flying for two years;

(3) the B.121C: a 2 seat single-engined club or private aircraft on which design work is well advanced;

(4) the B.121T: a 2 seat, single-engined trainer for club and flying school use.

Captain Kerby

asked the Minister of Aviation what have been the losses sustained by the Beagle Aircraft Company since it commenced trading six years ago.

Mr. Mulley

The total net losses of Beagle Aircraft Ltd. from 1st January, 1961, to 1st July, 1966, amount to some £2 million. This sum is more than accounted for by expenditure written off on design, development, jigs and tools associated mainly with the B.206 aircraft now in service and also with models not yet in production. It does not take account of subventions made in the period by the parent company amounting to £1,135,000.