Air Industry Mr. Hancock To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have for maintaining the UK air industry sector. Margaret Hodge The Government are working in partnership with the aerospace industry to strengthen the UK capabilities in this sector and are implementing the agenda set by the industry-led Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team report in 2003. This set out a vision for the future success of the industry that by 2022, “The UK will offer a global Aerospace Industry the worlds most innovative and productive location, leading to sustainable growth for all its stakeholders”. The key areas of focus work are on technology, process excellence, skills, and environmental issues. This implementation work is overseen by the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Leadership Council, which I chair jointly with Mike Turner, CEO of BAE Systems. More information is set out in the DTI evidence to the Trade and Industry Committee inquiry in March 2005. In regard to the defence air sector, the recently published Defence Industrial Strategy provided clarity to industry on our military capability requirements, and set out a requirement to work with BAE Systems and key areas of the supply chain to ensure a sustainable long-term industrial base.