§ 16 and 17. Mr. Ellisasked the Minister of Technology (1) what proposals he has received from the aircraft industry as to their share of financing the production side of the Concord project.
(2) if he will make a statement on his intentions as regards financing the Concord production for airline service.
§ 40. Mr. A. Royleasked the Minister of Technology what is the latest estimate of expenditure agreed by the two Governments in respect of work done and planned by the contractors constructing the Concord; when discussions on finance production will be completed; what early production work is going ahead; and if he will give an assurance that the Concord will not be cancelled by Her Majesty's Government if the test flying programme of the prototype is successful.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe latest estimate agreed between the two Governments of the expenditure that they will incur in respect of work done by the contractors remains at £500 million at 1966 prices. Discussions between the companies, the French Government and ourselves as to the best means of financing production are continuing, but as yet no final agreements have been reached. A statement will be made to the House when negotiations are further advanced. Meanwhile, work relating to production is continuing on schedule.
§ Mr. EllisIs my hon. Friend aware that he has not answered anything at all which is in this Question? I am asking him what offers he has received from the private side towards the production costs. That is in the Question. Can he answer that Question now, please?
§ Mr. StonehouseWe are at the moment engaged in complex negotiations with the firms concerned, and I am not yet in a position to make an announcement about the results of those negotiations.