§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research work is being undertaken by the Royal Aircraft Establishment in conjunction with the aerospace industry into developing vertical take-off or short take-off and landing systems for use with civil aircraft.
§ Mr. OnslowAn extensive programme of research is being carried out on behalf of my Department, both at the Royal Aircraft Establishment and in collaboration468W with the United Kingdom aviation industry aimed at establishing on a sound basis the technology required for future civil aircraft. A significant proportion of this work is directed towards the achievement of the landing and take-off characteristics which such aircraft will have to possess if commercial success is to be obtained. It is not yet clearly established how short the take-off and landing distances should be in the range down towards STOL and VTOL if any are to meet this criterion.