Ministry of Technology and successors: Air A Division, Air A2 Branch and successors:...

FV 14

1964-1987

These files reflect government intervention in the aircraft industry and relate to the development of advanced technology aero-engines, such as the RB 207 and RB 211 engines, to Rolls Royce Ltd and to the Airbus project as well as sales of UK aerospace technology to China. They also cover the financial position of Rolls Royce and ultimately its receivership.

A number of the files in the series were re-registered from the AA prefix used by Air A1 Branch. This branch was concerned, amongst other matters, with general policy on civil aircraft launching aid, and many of the re-registered files relate to this topic. The AA prefix existed before and concurrently with the CA prefix.

For files in the AA series, see AVIA 63

CA file series

Public Record(s)

English

• Department of Industry, Air Division, 1974-1983
• Department of Trade and Industry, Air 3 Division, 1971-1972
• Department of Trade and Industry, Air Division, 1972-1974
• Ministry of Aviation Supply, Air A Division, 1970-1971
• Ministry of Technology, Air A Division, 1968-1970

211 file(s)

Open

From 1994 Department of Trade and Industry

Topics

Asia

Air transport

Research

Series is accruing

In 1968 the Air A Division of the Ministry of Technology (Mintech) had administrative and financial responsibilities for the development, production and proving of civil aircraft and civil aero-engines, and these responsibilities remained unchanged during the life of Mintech. The Air A2 Branch was concerned with Airbus and proposals for European collaboration on other civil aeronautical projects, as well as the Rolls Royce advanced technology engines, and with promotion of exports of civil aircraft and aero-engines. These responsibilities similarly remained unchanged from 1968 until 1970 when Mintech merged with the Board of Trade to become the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at which time Air A Division and its functions passed to the newly formed Ministry of Aviation Supply.

In May 1971, on the dissolution of the Ministry of Aviation Supply, these same functions passed to the DTI. Within the DTI's Air 1 Division, Branch 2's responsibilities remained largely unchanged, although Air 3 Division was given the responsibility of dealing with matters arising from the appointment of a Receiver and Manager for Rolls Royce Ltd, and the establishment of a new company, Rolls Royce (1971) Ltd.