19. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a grant of £20,000 to a company or research association for building a small hydrofoil craft for experimental purposes.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Ministry of Technology is prepared to consider, with the others concerned, any proposal for the development of such craft that is supported by adequate technical and economic data.
20. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that fast hydrofoil craft are being operated by Russia, the United States of America, Italy, Germany and other countries, whilst there are none in Great Britain; and what study is being made of the technical aspects of this type of craft so as to encourage the building of a prototype craft in this country.
252W
§ Mr. ShoreYes. The Ministry of Technology is studying developments aimed at solving the problems of operating fast hydrofoil craft in rough seas, and the National Physical Laboratory has carried out the hydrodynamic design of such a vessel for the Royal Canadian Navy. The question of building a prototype in this country will be considered when results of the Canadian trials are available.