HC Deb 04 November 2003 vol 412 cc555-6W
Sir Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the efficacy of the Scottish Aerospace Strategy Initiative; what plans she has to establish a similar strategy for the aerospace industry in the North West of England; what discussions she has had with the Scotland Office about developing the aerospace industry in Scotland; and if she will make a statement. [134013]

Jacqui Smith

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has made no assessment of the efficacy of the Scottish Aerospace Strategy Initiative, as this is a matter of economic development and devolved to the Scottish Executive.

In May 2002, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry established the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team (AeIGT) to produce a 20-year vision for the future of the aerospace industry across the whole of the UK and to make recommendations as to how to make that vision a reality. Those recommendations were published in June 2003 and give strategic direction for the aerospace industry across the UK, including the North West of England. The Chairman of the North West Regional Development Agency is a member of the AeIGT and continues to be, closely involved in its work. It is for the North West Regional Development Agency to consider the need for a regional strategy.

The Department has an on-going relationship with the Scottish Executive and its economic development agencies both as part of the dialogue of Working with the Regions and Devolved Administrations and in the context of the implementation of the AeIGT report.