§ Mr. Ellisasked the Minister of Technology what progress is being made on negotiations for a merger in the airframe industry.
§ Mr. BennFollowing devaluation, the Government are conducting a re-examination of their existing policies in a number of fields. It will therefore not be possible for the time being to proceed 249W with the negotiations to implement the policy announced last year. I have so informed the British Aircraft Corporation and the Hawker Siddeley Group. I should like to reiterate, however, that in the Government's view a merger of the aviation interests of these two companies is desirable.