§ 19. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the future of Handley Page Aircraft Company; and what steps are being taken to keep the firm in operation.
§ 29. Mr. Roebuckasked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about the approaches which have been made to him to assist Handley Page Limited in their present difficulties.
§ Mr. CarmichaelAt the instigation of the company's principal creditor, a Receiver was appointed for Handley Page on 7th August. The Receiver has now concluded an agreement with the Cravens Corporation of America for the purchase of aircraft interests of the former company. The agreement was conditional upon certain assurances from the Ministry of Technology, which have been given, about the acceptability of the new company for carrying out design and development work on the Victor tanker conversion, if this requirement is confirmed.
The Government decided that there was no justification for special financial assistance to the company.
§ 28. Mr. Roebuckasked the Minister of Technology how much money from public funds has been received by Handley Page Limited since the end of the Second World War.
§ Mr. VarleyThis information is not readily available, but about £56 million has been paid by the Department since April, 1961.