Mr Phillip Whitehead: Since the right hon. Gentleman intervened briefly in the debate this morning, I have spoken to Mr. Stephenson, who wrote this article. His contention is that the banks and the senior partners in the counting houses were of the opinion, having seen the agreement, that there was no prior condition attached to the £42 million advanced by the Government.
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Further to that point of order. Will it be in order for the Chair to receive supplementary questions which relate to the statement which the Minister is now making as well as to Question No.1?
Mr Phillip Whitehead: asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what conversations, between Ministers and the receiver appointed in connection with Rolls-Royce or his representatives, took place between 4th February, 1971, and 8th March, 1971; and whether possible redundancy schemes were discussed.
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, quite apart from the redundancies which have already been effective at Rolls-Royce, a number of redundancy notices were given out in the Derby engine division and then subsequently withdrawn? Is he further aware that, apart from that, many people in the division have received letters asking whether they will take cuts in grade and salary? In the light...
Mr Phillip Whitehead: asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what is to be the future of carbon fibre research under Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Phillip Whitehead: While thanking the Minister for that assurance, may I ask him whether he is aware that the declaration of redundancies extending to most of the research team, and also the team at Littleover, near Derby, severely damaged the confidence of this team in the future of the project? Could he tell the House why these redundancies were declared when the 211 project in particular was still being...
Mr Phillip Whitehead: I apologise for not being present at the commencement of the hon. Gentleman's speech. Is he aware that some personnel made redundant in the Derby aero-engine division were working on the RB211? How does he reconcile that with what he has just said?
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Bearing in mind the Minister's remark to my hon. Friend the Member for Barons Court (Mr. Richard), may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the debate in the Conservative Party about commercial television in 1953 contained many serious reservations and their absence today is, we think, a sad commentary on the Conservative Party? There are no objections by right hon. and...
Mr Phillip Whitehead: When may we expect a full debate on the Government's White Paper on commercial radio?
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will be answering to the House for the take-over of the assets of Rolls-Royce by Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. if such a take-over should precede the completion of the RB211 negotiations, whatever may be the outcome of those negotiations?
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Will the hon. Gentleman convey to the chairman of B.E.A. that it is, to say the least, tactless in the extreme to make a visit to the A300B project at this stage in the negotiations over the RB211?
Mr Phillip Whitehead: asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he can now enumerate those constituent parts of Rolls-Royce Limited which it is not intended shall become part of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited; and which of them have been offered for purchase.
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is 11½ weeks ago that the Government allowed the bankruptcy of Rolls-Royce and that it is some weeks since the Receiver ceased effective management of the aero-division? When can we expect a statement about the disposal of these assets? In particular, can the Minister be more specific about the future of the composite fibre division and the Derby...
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Could the Minister assure the House that he will drop the proposal, trailed in the White Paper, for a newsvending station operating in London? Will he not accept that the cost of such an operation would demand resources at least equivalent to Independent Television News and an organisation controlled by the I.B.A., just as is I.T.N., and not susceptible to the whims of financial gain?
Mr Phillip Whitehead: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now order a public inquiry into the circumstances of the trial and conviction of James Hanratty for murder.
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Is the Home Secretary not aware that a full investigation is wanted by many hon. Members on both sides of the House, so as to get at the facts by power of subpoena? Those facts will not be established by study of the documents in the possession of the Home Office, nor by the statement and allegations of conspiracy, and confession of Mr. Peter Alphon. What is necessary is a public inquiry,...
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Debates upon the Adjournment have one thing in common with the external broadcasting services which I wish to discuss tonight. Neither can be judged by their impact upon the immediate audience. There is no immediate test of audience reaction. There is that moment of doubt and sometimes despair that nobody may be listening and that nobody perhaps cares. In preparing for this debate I could...
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Would the Minister agree that part of that improvement could be to extend the number of vernacular services which the B.B.C. is permitted to broadcast?
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Mr. Phillip Whitehead(Derby, North) rose——
Mr Phillip Whitehead: Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to deal with the attack that has been made on his proposals from these benches before dealing with the remarks of my right hon. Friend? In other words, if he has completed his comments on the White Paper, I find his speech astonishing.