asked the Minister of Technology what progress he has made in his study regarding the need to provide a suitable cross-Channel hovercraft terminal in south-east England; what are his conclusions; and whether he will publish them now in suitable form.

We are not conducting such a study, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has reopened his inquiry into the use of Pegwell Bay for a hovercraft terminal.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this is a matter upon which he is undertaking some study, because of the great technological importance of the development of the hovercraft industry? Does he not agree that it is an integral part of any such study which should be going on to consider appropriate types so that we do not lose in the race against the United States of America to capture this valuable and important advance?

Questions must be brief.

I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman says, but I think he will agree that the issue in the immediate inquiry is fairly clear. Both operators and the manufacturer of the hovercraft will be giving evidence, and this covers the technical problem from all sides.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has assessed the suitability of Pegwell Bay as a site from the point of view of the technical operation of hovercraft; and what is the result of this assessment.

The Department has made no assessment of the suitability of Pegwell Bay, and it is not for it to do so.

Does not the hon. Gentleman recognise that it is essential from the technological, quite apart from the planning, aspect to consider which are the areas which would be most appropriate for the development of this industry? Will he undertake to do so forthwith?

As I just said, the immediate issue in this inquiry is a matter for the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. The technical evidence will come quite rightly from the two operators, who have different views about where to operate from, and from the manufacturers of the hovercraft.

asked the Minister of Technology what cases of overcharging on Government contracts he is investigating.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects the results of the inquiry into the costing of the preliminary Seacat missile contract to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

The only case of possible overcharging now under investigation relates to the Seacat missile.

How far has my right hon. Friend got with this investigation? We know very little about it so far and there is a great deal of public concern about what is happening at Short Bros. Can we have more information?

There are later Questions about Shorts. I will report to the House or this investigation as soon as I can.

Is it not something of an academic point whether there is overcharging, because under the present system is not the only way in which we can obtain a refund to give a subsidy to the company?

I would rather not comment on this question for the reason which I have given, that this is only a possible case of overcharging. I would rather not comment until I am able to make a full statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the total number of contracts let by his Ministry?

Not accurately without notice, but it is about 20,000 a year. Until we have equality of information and post costing we will not be absolutely certain that this sort of thing does not happen.

asked the Minister of Technology what arrangements are being made to finance the production of the Concord aircraft for airline service; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects that arrangements for financing Concord production will be completed.

The firms have been given all the authority they need at this stage to get production started. Discussions with the firms and our French partners on the means of financing the whole production phase should be completed later this year; meanwhile there is no delay to the programme.

Is the firm completely happy that there is nothing to stop production from going ahead and that financial agreements have been arrived at? Earlier this year the firm said that in about the middle of the year it would want to know what the financing situation was.

I must emphasise what I said in my reply—that there is no hold-up in the production phase of this aircraft and, so far as I know, the firm is not concerned about the present position.

Will the Minister accept that the men are certainly very concerned, that they are tired of seeing the great shop at Weybridge B.A.C. works filled with empty jigs on which no work is going on? Is he further aware that they believe that this is adding to the cost, and that time is being lost? Will he not at least stimulate production?

As I say, there is no delay whatever in the production of these aircraft. It does not help the situation very much for the hon. Member to suggest that there is.

In view of the pronounced reluctance of the contractors to contribute either to the development or production costs of this aircraft, could my hon. Friend assure the House that this reluctance will be reflected in profit margins permitted?

I am not able to say on what terms production finance will be provided until the negotiations are concluded.

asked the Minister of Technology what research and development work he is sponsoring in connection with data transmission techniques and the establishment of a computer grid; and what is the rôle of the Computer Centre at Manchester in this field.

The National Physical Laboratory is studying the data transmission needs of computers connected by a communications grid. The Department is also supporting the development of a multi-access computing system at Edinburgh University, which will contribute information needed in the design of information computer grids and data transmission facilities. The Department is working closely with the Post Office, which is actively engaged in this and allied fields. The National Computing Centre will be concerned with the development of application software needed in the operation of a computer grid.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the techniques for fast data transmission will be developed to fit in with the Bill recently passed through this House?

Yes. My reply gives clear evidence that this is being attacked from many different points of view, and the different workers involved are closely in touch with each other.

Has the Department any evidence that the absence of any industrial development grants for the sort of peripheral equipment needed to make use of a computer service bureau is likely to inhibit the development of these very valuable techniques?

I will look into the point raised by the hon. Member.

Is my hon. Friend in a position to inform the House of any urogress made in this direction by the nationalised industries? In particular can he tell the House of any development concerning the National Steel Corporation?

The Post Office will be a major nationalised industry, and is the prime operator in this area. I have no information regarding activities of the National Steel Corporation in this connection.

asked the Minister of Technology what has been the outcome of his consultations with the Minister of Transport on the proposals of the National Research and Development Corporation to develop the hovertrain; whether Hovertrack Limited is to be set up; and what is to be the capital of the company.

I hope to be able to make an announcement about this proposal shortly.

Is the Minister aware that we get the impression that he has been dragging his feet? It is three months since we had a debate on this subject. This is an important matter, in which the French are making considerable progress. Will he consider Anglo-French co-operation in this matter?

The second question will not arise until we have decided the main question. I would not accept for a moment that for the last few months our work on hovercraft has been held back. This is a very large proposal, involving substantial investment in a new form of rapid transit, and it is not only reasonable but right and necessary that it should be examined with great care.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in considering this question not allow the very successful work going on at British Railways Research Centre at Derby, on the high speed train using conventional track, to inhibit his consideration of the prospects of the hover-train principle, which many of us see coming in as the next generation after high speed trains?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for those observations. Certainly one has to consider the development of all rapid transit systems, and try to see them equally, but the hovercraft principle as applied for train purposes has undoubtedly a very big potential.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he will take to emphasise the international aspect of aviation development and achievement at the next and subsequent exhibitions at Farnborough.

I have discussed the arrangements for next year's Farnborough Air Show with the S.B.A.C. Exhibitors of any nationality will be able to display their aircraft provided they contain a significant proportion of British equipment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that Answer is welcome as far as it goes? Is it not the case, however, that this arrangement will prevent the Russians from showing any of their aircraft, and will also limit what the Americans show? Is he aware that the exhibits of both countries attracted enormous attention at the Paris Show?

As my hon. Friend knows, S.B.A.C. broadened its criteria for admission in 1966, and is proposing to broaden it again in 1968, in the way that I have indicated. Looking beyond that, because it is too close to make any changes for next year, a number of considerations are in mind, and the ones that my hon. Friend has raised are among them. I cannot give any undertaking a, to which way the decision might go.

Would the right hon. Gentleman elucidate a little further on his phrase "… a considerable proportion of British equipment"? This is a terribly vague phrase, and it does not give the House much information. What does he mean by this? Does he mean a majority, or just the radar equipment? What is in his mind?

Is is not what is in my mind because the word was not "considerable", It was "significant". It is easier to define "significant" than "considerable" and if that gives any comfort to the hon. Gentleman, I offer it to him. This is a decision for the S.B.A.C.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will publish the report, prepared at the request of his Department by members of the staff of the Atomic Energy Authority Weapons Group, on the rôle that Government research and development establishments could play in promoting industrial efficiency.

A report was prepared by a team including a member of the staff of the Atomic Energy Authority following a quick pilot survey of the problems of small firms, mainly on a trading estate, and was not specifically directed to the rôle that establishments might play. It contains information on firms given in confidence, which cannot therefore be published.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has to extend hovercraft research and development designed to produce fast 4,000 ton-plus hoverships for trans-ocean transport of passengers and freight.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he now proposes to take to accelerate the design or production of large hoverships in excess of 1,000 tons weight.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a further statement about Government assistance in the development of hovercraft.

My right hon. Friend recently appointed a Director of Hovercraft and announced the formation of a National Physical Laboratory Hovercraft Committee. One of its immediate tasks will be to examine the hovership proposals as part of the hovercraft research and development programme. Government support will be considered in the course of this review.

Is the Minister aware that some other countries are spending vast amounts of money on the development of hoverships of up to 5,000 tons, with the aim of carrying bulk freight across the oceans in a matter of a few hours? Will he couple hoverships with the assurances that he has given on hovertrains, so that Britain will not be left behind in this direction either?

My hon. Friend has run ahead of events. Other nations are not spending more money on larger hover-ships than we are. The SRN4 is the biggest hovership under construction in the world.

Does the Minister not recognise that for a Government, which three years ago promised to have Britain sweltering in the white hot heat of technological advance, it may be said that they are dragging their feet disgracefully in these matters?

On the contrary, we are skimming the waves.

As a practical step, would the Minister ensure that we go ahead with development of the 200 and 300-ton class of hovership, and will he ensure that we can get a market for these ships, because without that, they will not be worth making?

The hon. Member is right. He has taken a close interest in this and other technological developments of the fast ship. He will appreciate that the Government need to examine very closely the wide variety of possible markets for this development.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has to promote international co-operation on a European basis in the technology of the development of the sea-bed; and what reply he has made to the representations he has received from Dr. Wenk, President Johnson's adviser on the development of the marine environment on this subject.

There is already considerable international co-operation in many aspects of the technology of the sea-bed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we are all convinced of the good will and drive of the Government in the matter of marine science? Is it likely that by the time Dr. Wenk comes again in October there will be a clearer indication of Government intentions?

We are making good progress. This concerns a number of Departments, as my hon. Friend knows. I would not want him to think that it is only when I meet Dr. Wenk that I give consideration to this question. A great number of subjects, from the Channel Tunnel to natural gas and a number of other aspects of seabed technology, are under active study and development, and we hope to carry this a stage further.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make sure at this stage that oceanographical research study and development does not reach the same situation as did the development of outer space, due to the lack of a single Ministry in charge of the programme? Would he say which Minister will tackle this problem?

This is a quite separate question, and I believe that the hon. Gentleman has got one down to me later on a related matter.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement indicating the effective development of technology in Scotland, the organisation and increase of staff in the Industrial Liaison Centre established at Aberdeen, the scope of its work and the industries affected by it and its plans for the future.

Action by the Ministry of Technology is contributing to the technological development of Scottish industry across a very broad front. The future of the Industrial Liaison Centre at Aberdeen is under discussion with the Scottish Education Department. My right hon. Friend is not yet able to make a statement.

Is not one of the aims of the Industrial Liaison Centre to increase trade, industry and commerce in Scotland? If so, will my hon. Friend specify what his plans are in that direction?

Certainly one of the objects of the Centre is to assist industry in Scotland. What we are considering is the future staffing and financing of the Centre. The Government are doing a great deal about technological development in Scottish industry, a recent example being the foundation of the Institute of Machine Tool Design.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a number of my hon. Friends recently saw some of the work being done by his Ministry in Scotland and were very much impressed? May we press him to continue to develop that work?

I am very grateful for my hon. Friend's remarks. We have had a number of very important successes—for example, with the low-cost automation clinics al Paisley and Edinburgh.

asked the Minister of Technology when it is intended to publish the White Paper on technology in the context of British entry to the European Economic Community.

There is no present intention to publish a White Paper on technology.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of reports, including reports to the House, that very detailed proposals have been put to General de Gaulle on this question? Does he not think it wrong that the House should take second place to General de Gaulle in a matter of this kind?

I think that my hon. Friend misunderstands the position. One of the most powerful arguments for deciding to apply to enter Europe was that advanced technology depends on the scale on which we operate. This is a matter which is very closely linked to industrial collaboration and the search for markets referred to earlier. These are not matters which ate suitable for publication in a White Paper of the kind published on agricultural policy.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree, in pursuance of his argument on the concept of the minimum critical mass, that there is little hope for a technological community outside a political and economic infrastructure?

Although it is tempting to follow the hon. Gentleman's question with an interesting answer, I do not think that I will go further than I have gone.

asked the Minister of Technoloy what action he now proposes to take to bring about the merger between the airframe and missile interests of Hawker Siddeley and the British Aircraft Corporation.

Negotiations with the two companies are proceeding. Discussion of the future of the companies guided weapon interests forms part of these negotiations.

I assume that my right hon. Friend agrees that a merger is essential. As it has been clearly shown that the pricing system is, to say the least, difficult, would he not consider it worth while looking into the advice given to him by the admittedly very Left-wing magazine the Economist that we might take this industry into public ownership?

There has been a lot of public discussion over the years about what should be done with the aircraft industry. The Government announced their decision last year. While the negotiations are in progress, I think that it would be wrong for me to say more.

I appreciate that these matters take a very long time to negotiate, but is the Minister aware that the long delay has a very unsettling effect on the staff and scientists whom we want to retain in this country? Unless he does something to assure them about their future, we shall lose more than ever.

I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman says, but it is the programme of work rather than the pattern of ownership which decides the matters to which he refers. In negotiations of this kind there are, by definition, three parties, and delay is not always attributable to one.

Since the right hon. Gentleman has just said, so truly, that it is the programme of work which matters, are negotiations being suspended until the Government know what they are going to make?

That is a separate question. I understand that there is to be a debate on the matter later this week. I do not think that what the right hon. Gentleman says arises on this Question.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is satisfied with the apportionment of Governmental support as between Great Britain's scientific and commercial space efforts; and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the Government as a whole to decide and I am satisfied with the apportionment made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the growing feeling that not enough encouragement is being given to the commercial aspect of space and that it is from the commercial aspect that the real dividends will be paid to the people of this country? Would it not be better if we had one Minister in charge of space?

The difficulty about the hon. Gentleman's argument is that, short though it was, it internally contradicted itself. If it is the commercial aspect which matters, obviously the Post Office, which is a user of the satellites, should have a very large part to play in the development of Government policy; and similarly defence and other users should as well. This is the difficulty about the hon. Gentleman's argument—that if we attach it to the users of space this operates against the idea of a central Minister, exactly as we do not have a Minister in charge of land, in charge of the sea, or in charge of the sea bed.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will name the computer manufacturing companies with which he has discussed, and from which he has obtained, tenders for the construction of a third generation large computer; and whether he will give details of any contracts which have been placed by his department.

My Department has had discussions with several computer manufacturers about their plans for large machines. So far I have not invited tenders or placed contracts for such machines.

Would not the Minister agree that it is time that some accelerated effort was put into this project? Could he give the House some idea of what is in the Government's mind on the technical configuration of this computer? Is it to be a scientific machine, a commercial machine or possibly a machine orientated to the Government's own data processing services?

A great deal of work is going on on this problem, although it is not absolutely clear whether the phrase "third generation computers" refers to the present generation, integrated circuit computers or the next generation after that. But in view of the discussions going on with the firms, I would rather not say more about that, although we shall be making further statements about this before very long.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are existing computers which will be satisfactory in implementing the Post Office (Data Processing Service) Bill? In dealing with the third generation of micro circuits, what acceleration is the right hon. Gentleman giving to the programme to make the idea behind that Bill operative and make them function properly?

As I was involved with that Bill before I transferred to my present Department, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that that point was very carefully looked at.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that the need for a universal general purpose computer language capable of handling both scientific and commercial programming has been established; and what measures his Department will take to ensure its proper development.

Contracts are being negotiated with computer companies for a study, jointly with the National Physical Laboratory, of this matter.

In dealing with this problem, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the need not only to try to get common standards in this country, but to try to get them on an international basis? This will be essential both for our export effort and for making general sense to the users of computers.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for saying that. I wholly support it. International standards in these and other matters are essential if we are to make the most of technology, particularly in this direction, where a cybernetic Tower of Babel would be the least justified of all.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about the current use of British research into the centrifugal method of separating U-235.

Though the Atomic Energy Authority has devoted some effort to the investigation of this possibility, it is too early to make a statement.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the persistent rumours that the Chinese have perfected a cheap and reliable method of preparing the fissile material necessary for thermo-nuclear explosions? In the light of the implications of this for nuclear proliferation and the cost of our own programme, could not my hon. Friend prosecute this research more urgently?

I note what my hon. Friend says, but I can only repeat that I am not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about the scope of the French technological contribution to the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

The French technological contribution to the AFVG up to the time of their withdrawal centred on the M45 engine for the aircraft, on the design of which the French firm SNECMA was in the lead.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that information. Is he aware that many of us are curious about the extent of the exchange of information which took place between the British and French interests on this matter? May we assured that the French have not gained our trade secrets on the cheap?

Inevitably when one aims for collaboration and to develop collaboration, even in the early stages there will be an exchange of information. If one undertakes this type of project, one must expect that this collaboration will be mutually beneficial.

As the Russians seem already to be flying a swing-wing aircraft, would it not be better to open negotiations with them?

Like my hon. Friend, I was very amused by the attitude of the Morning Star to the swing-wing aircraft once it discovered that one already existed in the Soviet Union.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has yet decided to present an annual report of his Department's affairs to Parliament.

No, Sir. The amalgamation with the Ministry of Aviation has raised new factors which I want to consider further.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a year ago, when I asked a similar Question, he said that he would consider the matter sympathetically? In the light of the amalgamation with aviation, would he consider producing a report at least on the non-aviation side? I realise that aviation is a rather separate question, but a report would be of benefit to hon. and right hon. Members on both sides of the House.

I am still attracted by the idea, but all our establishments, including the Atomic Energy Authority and the N.R.D.C., publish annual reports. Since the hon. Gentleman tabled his last Question, we have published "New Technology" which conveys regularly information about what is happening. I have also to consider the load on the Civil Service in requiring it to publish another annual report. For these reasons, I have not yet been able to reach a firm decision.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman must agree that we have absolutely no instrument which collates Government policy and which gives their attitude towards the various projects which are being dealt with by bodies like the N.R.D.C. There is nothing by which the public can be thoroughly informed of the Minister's policy. Leaving aviation out of it, surely my hon. Friend is right about that.

I did not answer the specific question about the non-aviation side, but the way in which the new Ministry of Technology is growing will ultimately blur the old differences which divided the two Departments. There is an internal integration which is growing in the Department, and that was intended. Other agencies like the A.E.A. and the N.R.D.C. are co-ordinated, and they are part of my responsibility.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for the siting of a Government civil research establishment in the Northern Region; and if he will make a statement.

There is no present national requirement for a new Government civil research establishment. Were another to be required the claims of development areas would be given special consideration.

Is my hon. Friend aware that that is a very unsatisfactory answer for the Northern Region, that we are the only region without such facilities, that we are taking more than our fair share of the economic ills of the country and that we consider that the provision of such an establishment is long overdue?

I am sorry that my hon. Friend is disappointed, but we cannot establish a new civil research establishment merely to put one in the North-East. I suggest that perhaps a better way of thinking about the problem would be if industry in the North-East approached the Ministry of Technology with schemes for research and development with which we could assist. That would certainly assist my hon. Friend's object more rapidly.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that private research establishments in the North-East have been pressing this line for Government support for some time and have justice in their claim that they have not had all the good will that they could reasonably have expected?

If my hon. Friend is referring to a certain research establishment in the North-East, I assure him that we are doing everything we can to give that organisation research contracts and that we have had some success.

Will the Minister bear in mind that we keep on asking for things for the North-East, such as for notice to be taken of the port of the Tyne, but that we were greeted with very frosty responses? Am I to take the Minister's charm towards his hon. Friends as meaning that the Government will now change their views and will help us on the North-East with regard to the Tyne?

The hon. Lady will, I think, agree that we are helping the Tyne a great deal. One of her particular interests—for example, Tyne shipbuilding— is likely to gain very great assistance from the recent passing of the Shipbuilding Industry Act.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on the European airbus.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has now received the report on the work by the industrial consortium in connection with the production of a design for a European Airbus based on two Rolls-Royce RB207 engines.

On 25th July, my hon. Friend the Minister of State will be meeting Ministers from France and Federal Germany to decide future action in the light of the report which the industrial consortium has just submitted.

What precise steps will the Minister take to ensure that the disaster which befell the AFVG is not repeated in this project? How will he tie up the contract?

It is of the nature of international collaboration that one cannot tie up international colleagues absolutely firmly. We are, however, optimistic about the airbus discussions and we have insisted that the RB207, the European engine, will be part of it.

Does not the Minister realise, even now, the dangers which he is running on the country's behalf? Will he not look backwards on the Concord agreement and say whether, in the light of the hindsight which he now has, we were not wise to make that sort of agreement?

If the right hon. Gentleman were to look back at the aviation past of his own colleagues, he would find very little to help us in the problems which we have to face.

Will my right hon. Friend accept our best wishes for 25th July? Is it roughly correct to say that if the project comes off, it will keep 10,000 people in the aircraft industry employed for roughly four years? Are these figures approximately correct?

I do not know the exact figures offhand. It depends on the market. The important thing about this and every project which we now take on should be that we are sure that the market is available for the aircraft in question.

Have the French and Germans accepted our insistence that the P B207 twin-engine configuration should be selected for this project? Can the Minister assure the House that a further statement will be made before the House rises for the Recess about the results of the meeting on 25th July?

I cannot say very much about the French and German position until after the meeting on 25th July. On the assumption, however, that the House is still sitting when the meeting has been completed, I see no reason why we should not be able to make a further statement if it is required.

asked the Minister of Technology what studies he has made of the likely expansion of air freight traffic; and what encouragement he will give to the British aviation industry to compete in this field.

The forward projections of air freight traffic indicate a rapid increase and I shall welcome proposals from the industry designed to secure its proper share of the business that will be gerated by it.

Is it not a fact that in the last three years this traffic has increased by no less than 20, 27 and 18 per cent., respectively? Is not this very good business indeed? Does the Minister's statement indicate that he is prepared to support a project for an air freight aircraft, which we would have had if the Government had not cancelled the Hawker Siddeley 681?

It is certainly true that air freight has been increasingly rapidly over recent years, but the Government's primary rôle in this matter is to give launching aids to promising civil developments. No proposal has recently been received from the industry for Government assistance in launching a new civil freight aircraft.

asked the Minister of Technology what further powers he will be seeking to assist in the modernisation of industry.

My Department was set up to establish a sound working partnership with industry. If this were to necessitate further powers I should have to seek them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that technical mergers of the kind which we have recently seen between English-Electric and Elliot Automation need to be increased and that there seems to be a gap between the encouragement offered by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation and the power which my right hon. Friend possesses? Can he suggest how he can close this gap?

The I.R.C. is a matter for my right hon. Friend the First Secretary. As to the rôle of the Ministry of Technology in mergers, we are, of course, engaged in major discussions involving the aircraft industry, on the one hand, and, in the case of shipbuilding, by the use of an industrial board for the purpose. I said in the debate on the Shipbuilding Industry Bill that I thought that the development of a board for that sort of purpose might prove to be interesting.

asked the Minister of Technology what proposals he has to co-operate with the director general of the National Economic Development Council to recruit British graduates now working in North America.

The Ministry already maintains close contact with the National Economic Development Office in these matters.

Since a recent Parliamentary Answer revealed that, so far, Mr. Fred Catherwood had been unable to recruit one graduate to come back from North America to work for the National Economic Development Office, can the hon. Gentleman say whether, as a result of this co-operation, he has had from Mr. Catherwood any indication of why he considers that his mission was so singularly lacking in success?

There is no evidence yet that Mr. Catherwood's mission has failed. Mr. Catherwood is responsible for his own missions to recruit his own staff in Northern America if he considers that the right thing to do. Certainly, if the National Economic Development Office would like to use the channel which we have recently set up through M.S.L., we would be delighted.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on the progress of grouping arrangements in the shipbuilding industry.

Four Tyne companies have announced their intention of merging their shipbuilding activities on this river. Working parties are studying the organisation on the Upper Clyde and Wear, the first covering six yards and the second five yards. The Shipbuilding Industry Board has been and is cooperating with the firms concerned as well as with others who are still conducting confidential discussions about mergers.

In welcoming the lead given on the Tyne in making use of the valuable proposals contained in the Government's Shipbuilding Industry Act, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he can say anything about the marine engine industry in particular as part of the grouping facilities and whether any statement can now be made about it?

I certainly welcome the lead which has been given by the Tyne shipbuilders in the matter of grouping. The question of marine engines is under consideration by the Shipbuilding Industry Board and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a recent report has disclosed that the Japanese shipbuilding industry, which has been building ships of 150,000 to 200,000 tons, is now expecting to have surplus capacity in this range fairly soon, and has initiated work on new yards to build ships in the 500,000-ton range? Is he going to make ure that we do not join the wrong race?

Certainly it is of the utmost importance that we have a shipbuilding industry which knows the market it is concentrating on, and that it concentrates on that market. This is one of the objects of regrouping, that the industry will be able to make marketing arrangements which can make decisions about exactly that sort of problem.

Can my hon. Friend indicate to the House what progress has been made with regard to grouping the shipyards on the north-west coast, particularly in relation to Cammell Laird and Vickers?

Grouping of shipyards on the north-west coast is not a matter of high priority, although one would expect that in the second stage of development that, too, will be an area in which groupings are likely.

Would the hon. Gentleman say something about the progress on Clydeside? Is he aware of the concern on Clydeside that the very valuable work being done among the upper reaches firms may preclude the possibility of mergers along both the upper and lower reaches?

I would personally hope that it would not preclude it, but with any of these groupings it may be necessary to have two stages of development. I do not think myself that the grouping of firms on the upper Clyde, for example, or of firms on the lower Clyde would later preclude a group for the whole of that area.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for the development in the United Kingdom of variable geometry aircraft.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said on 5th July.—[vol. 749, c. 1825–1834.]

Is the Minister aware of the considerable public concern that this British invention, brought to an operational state by the United States, by France and by the Soviet Union, has made apparently absolutely no progress in this country? Will he assure the House we are not going to be left behind in this race?

I am aware of the considerations which the hon. Member mentions. We are to debate this very fully on Thursday. Meanwhile, there is nothing further I can add to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said.

asked the Minister of Technology what aircraft will be the core of the British aircraft construction industry in the 1970s.

A wide range of civil and military aircraft will be under construction in the 1970s. It would be difficult to single out any one of them for special mention.

Does the Minister recall that on 30th November, 1966, the then Minister of Aviation said, when asked what would happen if the AFVG project failed, that the Government were well advanced with contingency planning and that an announcement would be made also immediately if the project failed. Would he now give the House a technological definition of "almost immediately?"

5th July is not very long ago, and Thursday is the day after tomorrow. If that does not do for the hon. Gentleman, I do not know what will satisfy him.

Does the Minister really think there is no connection between AFVG cancellation and the existence of the Dassault Mirage 3G?

My right hon. Friend made a statement on this point, referring to what M. Messmer had said to him, and we shall have a full opportunity of discussing this. It is certainly not for me to comment.

But does the right hon. Gentleman's answer a moment ago, referring to all the other work being undertaken, and which has been going on for some years, mean that the Government think a core is no longer needed for this apple?

I do not think that I can do better than refer the right hon. Gentleman to the various projects which are to be developed in the 'seventies. This is what the Question is about. The percentage of work, for different aircraft, I am prepared to give to the House, if the right hon. Gentleman wants it, but on the civil side, of course, the largest project is Concord.

asked the Minister of Technology how many people were informed of his decision to terminate the services of the chairman of Short Brothers and Harland, before the chairman himself was informed.

asked the Minister of Technology what decision he has made concerning the appointment of a successor to the present chairman of Short Brothers and Harland; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will announce the name of the new chairman of Short Brothers and Harland.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will now make a statement on the progress made on the reorganisation of Short Brothers and Harland.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a further statement on the future policy of Short Brothers and Harland.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress has been made with the reorganisation of Short Brothers and Harland.

With permission, I shall answer Question No. 33, together with Questions Nos. 35, 37, 38, 41, and 45, at the end of Question Time.

asked the Minister of Technology what research is being undertaken to establish the degree of distortion in the reading of magnetic compasses resulting from ferrous deposits in the ground.

No such research is being undertaken by the Ministry of Technology.

If it appears that this was a contributory factor to at least one of the accidents—at Perpignan—would the Minister have an investigation in order to see that unnecessary navigational accidents of this kind do not recur?

If the inquiry which is going on into that accident reveals that this was the cause, then that will create a new situation which will have to be considered.

asked the Minister of Technology why National Research Development Corporation support is being withheld from the company, Computer Technology.

I understand that N.R.D.C. did not feel able to support a particular proposal put to them by Computer Technology. The firm has no manufacturing capabality, and the Department has suggested to Computer Technology that the best course might be to seek an association with a well-established computer manufacturer.

Is the Minister aware that this project has been assessed by a private firm of consultants, Cambridge Consultants, and that some people are gravely concerned that the money going into computers is going into the big companies and no support is being given to the small ones and that we are very disturbed that Parliamentary accountability is not given to N.R.D.C.? Can we have a debate on this?

N.R.D.C. gives a very full report of all its activities and is very ready to answer questions directly regarding them. In computer manufacture there is advantage in scale. We have encouraged this firm to get in touch with well-established computer manufacturers.