CONFIDENCE IN ABILITY TO MEET COMPETITION
This then is the nature of our problem, and our own accounts already show the impact of the change. We are encouraged to know that the Government are giving the subject their earnest consideration. The task of competing technically does not daunt us—the current achievements of our engineering teams give us every confidence in their ability to meet the future. But if our stockholders are to be asked to carry an increasing share of the substantial cost, they are entitled to expect the Government to give some prac- tical demonstration that they are whole-hearted in their desire to see the industry succeed in its task. The maintenance of basic aerodynamic research, the fostering within the engine companies of research on engines aimed at extending our knowledge of the art, co-operation from Transport Command in the flight testing of new products—these are but a few examples of the kind of support which should not be in doubt, and indeed there are many other arrangements which must be the subject of review in the light of the changing circumstances.
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