§ 33. Mr. Brooksasked the Minister of Technology what is the forecast price for Concorde upon which airlines have based their decisions to place options; and if he has now calculated what revision of the price has been necessitated by the delays in the 001 programme.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuAirlines took out their options at different times, and based their decisions on different prices. The likely selling price is continually reviewed in the light of all relevant changes in circumstances.
§ Mr. BrooksIs my hon. Friend aware that that has not begun to answer the Question, which asked for a specific price to justify an £800 million investment in research and development? Does he agree that the record of Anglo-French co-operation in this venture, not to mention the A.F.V.G. and the recent escalation in cost of the airbus on the part of the French, suggests that bilateral cooperation in this respect is rather misguided?
§ Mr. MallalieuIt is not possible to give a direct answer to the Question other than the Answer I have given because the prices are very widespread. We are watching the escalation in costs with our French colleagues with extreme care.
§ Mr. FortescueIs work on the next two pre-production models of Concorde up to schedule, or is it still lagging behind?
§ Mr. MallalieuWe have authorised production work to proceed.