Aerospace Production Policy

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 July 1978.

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Photo of Mr Lewis Carter-Jones Mr Lewis Carter-Jones , Eccles 12:00, 10 July 1978

This process is becoming more complex every day. In my day, it was a Merlin water-cooled piston engine and the airframe made of wood by de Havilland, and it was a good aircraft. I wish that we could go back to those days. It would be delightful.

I have listened carefully to the debate and from it I have realised how many different people have had different briefings from different organisations. I think that I have been briefed by every engine company and by almost every airframe company, but I am still as confused as ever. I have some ideas in my mind, but I cannot help feeling that this debate might not have taken place if the chairman of Rolls-Royce, British Aerospace and British Airways had got together much sooner and decided something better for the advantage of the British aircraft industry as a whole.

This is the first time since I have been in the House that substantal numbers of people are wooing the British aircraft industry. It is the first time that we have ever been in that favourable position. That is why I would not like to have to take the decision that has to be taken in the very near future. The ideal situation would be to have all the airframes, all the avionics and all the engines in a superb aircraft selling in every country and made in Great Britain. But we are not going to get that in the next generation. Therefore, we have to try to get the best of all worlds.

What is significant is that hon. Members are speaking very often with their own constituency interests in mind, and I do not blame them for that. I have no constituency interest, although a very small number of my constituents may be indirectly involved. What worries me is that a substantial number of people will be made redundant and research and design teams will be disbanded if, for example, something like the BAC111 is not continued. That has to be said. Whether we like it or not, it would be naive to pretend that the Japanese are not looking at what we decide here now.

My second point about procurement is that Lockheed seems to be left out of the reckoning, apart from a reference by my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead). But it is significant that at the moment when specific engines are required Rolls-Royce is deficient, and that is a tragedy; it does not have the right engine at the right time, but it has an engine which, seemingly, will be attractive to Boeing. I have the general feeling from both sides of the House that the House at present does not trust Boeing as far as its care of the British aircraft industry is concerned. We were told clearly that we could become sub-contractors and that we would do well out of the business. However, I realise that time is getting short, so I will quickly end with two observations.

There seems to be a chance of strong collaboration in Europe. The people there seem eager to get us. We have to find a good way in. The late starter from McDonnell Douglas is also very attractive. The one thing which seems to be missing is good consistent figures on the performance and opportunities for each and every one of the industries, whether engine-wise or airframe-wise.