§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Technology what is the total Government investment in the Beagle Aircraft Company Limited.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe total Government expenditure in connection with the present company, viz., Beagle Aircraft Limited, which was formed by Her Majesty's Government in July 1968, is £2,409,000. This includes the cost of acquisition of the assets of the previous company from Pressed Steel Fisher Limited. In addition, payments totalling £3,333,000 were made to maintain the aircraft business from June 1966 until its acquisition by Her Majesty's Government from Pressed Steel Fisher Limited.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Technology (1) what is the total value of aircraft sold by the Beagle Aircraft Company Limited since it became wholly owned by the Government;
(2) how many Beagle Pups have been sold and delivered to customers since the Beagle Aircraft Company became wholly owned by the Government;
(3) how many Beagle 206 aircraft have been sold and delivered to customers since the Beagle Aircraft Company became wholly owned by Her Majesty's Government;
(4) how many Beagle Pups, 100's and 150's, Bulldogs and 206's are now firmly on order, with deposits paid; and who has ordered them;
(5) what is the quoted delivery period of the Beagle Pup, 100 and 150, and Bulldog and 206, aircraft, respectively;
(6) what are today's basic manufacturing costs and selling prices of each type of aircraft produced by the Beagle by the Beagle Aircraft Company Limited;
(7) how many Bulldog aircraft have been produced and delivered to customers by the Beagle Aircraft Company Limited.
(8) how many Beagle Bulldog aircraft have been ordered by the Royal Swedish Government;
(9) whether Beagle 206's are still in production, in view of the difficulties in obtaining sets of wings for this aircraft:
227W(10) what is the estimated cost of rebuilding the 100 Beagle Pup trainer aircraft, already delivered to customers and now called in for modifications;
(11) how many Beagle aircraft have been sold to Zambia; and at what price.
§ Mr. CarmichaelAlthough the Government are its sole shareholder, Beagle Aircraft Ltd. is a company incorporated by registration under the Companies Acts and its affairs are therefore conducted by a Board of Directors and management as an ordinary commercial enterprise. It would, accordingly, be inappropriate for me to answer Questions relating to the company's day-to-day business.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Technology how many Beagle aircraft, produced by the wholly Government-owned Beagle Aircraft Company Limited, are operated by British nationalised industries; and if he will name the industries in question.
§ Mr. CarmichaelNone.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Technology how many Beagle Basset aircraft have been ordered and received by the Royal Air Force; and how many further orders have been placed or are contemplated by the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe twenty Beagle Basset aircraft ordered by the Royal Air Force were delivered between February, 1965, and August, 1966. No further orders for Bassets have been placed and the type is now out of production.