§ 36. Mrs. Haymanasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement about the future of the HS 146 project in view of the current redundancies at Hawker Siddeley Aviation (Hatfield).
§ Mr. KaufmanThe company has recently proposed an extension of the existing holding contract to increase the Government expenditure and the tempo of work on the HS 146. My officials are seeking further information from the company on a number of points. We will also wish to take account of the views of the Chairman of the Organising Committee for British Aerospace before reaching a decision. I have discussed with M. Cavaille, Secretary of State for Transport in the French Government, the possibility of collaboration between British and French manufacturers on the HS 146 project.