Available online
Description
This programme follows the way in which the new Labour government reassessed the Concorde project in 1964. It then examines the reasons for the rising costs of the project and the consequences of t...hese costs for the aircraft industry. Finally it looks at the different ways in which decisions about supersonic transport were taken in Britain and the United States.
This programme follows the way in which the new Labour government reassessed the Concorde project in 1964. It then examines the reasons for the rising costs of the project and the consequences of t...hese costs for the aircraft industry. Finally it looks at the different ways in which decisions about supersonic transport were taken in Britain and the United States.
| Module code and title: | D203, Decision making in Britain |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D203; 02; 1977 |
| First transmission date: | 03-03-1977 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:15 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Carol Haslam |
| Contributors: | Mary Goldring; Clive Jenkins; Chris Pollitt; Geoffrey Rippon |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Concorde; Supersonic aircraft |
| Footage description: | The programme begins with film of Labour leader entering 1O Downing Street in October 1964. Geoffrey Rippon, former junior Minister of Aviation, describes how the new government found it could not cancel the Concorde project without breaking its contractual obligations to France. Archive film of Roy Jenkins explaining the purpose of his visit to France to talk about Concorde. Morien Morgan, of B.A.C., describes why the project was not cancelled. Archive film of him and Roy Jenkins in Paris. Geoffrey Rippon bemoans the cost of reviews of projects and the length of time they take up. James Hamilton, Director General Concorde project, explains the role of the Treasury in the development of the Concorde project and the control of its finances. Denis Haviland, Deputy Secretary Ministry of Aviation 1959-64, argues that it is impossible to cost the unknown. Even with strict controls it is impossible to cost accurately in advance. James Hamilton describes the main causes of the rising costs of Concorde. These being inflation, design changes and the development of safety factors. Mary Goldring, former Aviation Correspondent of the Economist, describes the political pressures which make it difficult to stop a big research project like Concorde. John Davies, Secretary of State, Department of Industry and Trade 1971-1972, explains some of the decisions of governments, which do not affect private corporations. Shots of men working on Concorde. Archive film of Concorde on display at Toulouse, 1967, and of Concorde's first flight. Archive film of Tony Benn, Minister of Technology 1966-7O, speaking to workers in Bristol about possible redundancies due to delays in the Concorde programme. Chris Pollitt talks to Clive Jenkins, of ASTMS, about how the Union lobbies parliament to ensure that its point of view is expressed. He explains the important difference it makes to the union if the Labour Party is in power. Richard Wiggs, co-founder of the Anti-Concorde project, describes the problems small pressure groups face in getting M.P.s to listen to their arguments. Film of Tony Benn making a speech about the need for each interest group to put its case to the government Richard Wiggs criticises the make-up of the SSTAC which represented only the interests of the aviation industry. Mary Goldring argues that Parliament, although it can influence policy, can do little to alter decisions once they have been taken. Film of an anti-supersonic transport meeting in the United States. Richard Wiggs describes the different way in which the Americans approached the discussion on supersonic aircraft, with much more open debate. Mary Goldring explains that as civil servants in this country are not allowed to voice their criticisms in public, debate on important decisions is often unsatisfactory. Too mush information is classified. James Hamilton describes a project which he started which arrived at accurate cost estimates for the development of Concorde. He explains the reason why these figures were never published. He compares the costs of Concorde with those faced by Boeing in the effort to develop a supersonic aircraft. Finally Chris Pollitt describes the escalating costs of the Concorde project and the collapse of the estimated market for the plane. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72415 |
| Production number: | 00525_2333 |
| Videofinder number: | 3395 |
| Available to public: | no |
