§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) by what date he expects to receive the report of the tripartite working group on the Hawker Siddeley 146 project;
(2) when the tripartite working group on the future of the Hawker Siddeley 146 project is expected to start work; and if he will name its members.
§ Mr. MeacherThe membership of the tripartite working group will be drawn from the trade unions, the management of Hawker Siddeley Aviation, and Government officials. It is intended that it should operate informally and without a rigid predetermined membership, though there is agreement that the numbers should be limited. Papers have already been submitted by the company and the unions and details are being finalised for an early meeting. In keeping with the group's informal character it might decide that a formal written report to my right hon. Friend would be unnecessary.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had since 17th December with Hawker-Siddeley Aviation Limited about the terms on which Government finance might be made available to continue the design capability of the HS146 project team; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherOfficials of my Department have been in touch with both the management of Hawker Siddeley Aviation and the trade unions about further action on the HS146. The precise terms on which Government funding might be made available cannot be determined until the tripartite working group has examined the possible methods of keeping the project in being.