TREASURY Minister Paul Boateng has pledged the government will do all it can to help the East Lancashire Aerospace industry survive the problems caused by the aftermath of the suicide hijack attacks on America last year.

He said Whitehall officials and politicians were working with the firms in the North-West, the Regional Development Agency and Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster Universities, to keep the local aerospace industry at the cutting edge of technology.

But MP Peter Pike believes more has to be done -- with cash up-front.

In the Commons The Burnley Labour backbencher raised the problems of British Aerospace and its suppliers in the area following the terrorist atrocity on September 11 last year.

And, while he welcomed Mr Boateng's warm words, he wants financial aid and government action to back them up.

Mr Pike asked Mr Boateng at Treasury Questions: "Do you agree that aerospace is a crucial, high-skill and high-value industry to Lancashire, the north-west and the country as a whole?

"It has been hit particularly hard since 11 September last year. Will you stress to the industry that the Government will give the maximum support possible to encourage research and development and training? "

Mr Boateng replied: "We meet regularly with the aerospace industry. Recently, I visited the north-west and spoke with the vice-chancellors of the three major universities there.

"They are all working in close contact with the industry and the Regional Development Agency.

"They are benefiting from our proposals, not only on science and technology but on the additional funding for the RDA and the important bedrock that we have put in place for long-term research and development, particularly in large companies, and they will continue to benefit."