'In 1965, the government released a report into the industry and its future, which became known as the Plowden Report. Among many proposals in this report was the advocation that all future airliner projects were to be undertaken as collaborative ventures with Europe, bar some small aircraft. Many of the report's conclusions were negative and provided a field day for competitors who could seize on the fact that Britain appeared to be abdicating from airliner design and manufacture. It saw no predetermined place for an aircraft industry in Britain and the need to purchase from the United States the most complex of weapons systems.'
Richard Payne, ‘Stuck on the Drawing Board’ (2004)