asked the Minister of Aviation what proportion of work on the HS681 transport aircraft is now to be sub-contracted to Short Bros. and Harland.

It will be a substantial proportion, but I cannot be more specific until the detailed planning of the work is complete.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while his visit last week to Short Bros. and Harland is welcomed, and while I welcome the amount of work placed there by the Government, anxiety is still felt by that firm, particularly concerning design? Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to ensure that sufficient design work is placed with Short Bros. and Harland to ensure a balanced production unit there in the years to come?

I am well aware of my hon. Friend's anxieties and those of Short's. What I can say at this stage is that Short's will share in the construction of the development batch of the HS681 aircraft as well as of the subsequent production batch.