A message from the Minister of Technology

THE market for aircraft is international. The prizes for success are great; and so is the competition for these prizes. As aircraft become more complex, development costs rise and the break‐even sales figure increases. For the larger and more revolutionary aircraft, development costs have already reached a level which makes it very hazardous for any European country to go it alone. There are manpower considerations too which point towards co‐operation. Avionics is an advanced technology industry, employing highly skilled people. To tie up too great a proportion of any single country's scientists, engineers and skilled workers in one project, or indeed in one industry, is as dangerous as devoting to it too high a proportion of the money available for research and development generally. International collaboration is the only effective solution, and Britain as a part of Europe wants to work with other European countries. Collaborative projects, if they are to be successful, must be selected with the greatest care; and the capital and resources employed must pay realistic dividends to the participating countries. It is pointless to undertake costly work merely for the ‘honour’ of doing it, or for the spin‐off of knowledge without regard to its economic value.