asked the Secretary of State for Industry what response Her Majesty's Government propose to make to the suggestion by the French Government that European countries should combine their resources in the production of civil aircraft.

No specific proposal has been put to Her Majesty's Government, but collaboration in development and production of aircraft is not, of course, a new idea in Europe. There are numerous practical examples, including Anglo-French aircraft and aero-engines Wherever projects can be shared in a mutually advantageous way between European countries, that is obviously more sensible than for them to produce competing aircraft, etc., for the same limited markets.