HC Deb 20 April 1970 vol 800 cc21-2
49. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to obtain firm orders for Concorde.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology (Mr. Neil Carmichael)

This will depend on the outcome of the present performance tests. The manufacturers hope to obtain the first firm orders later this year.

Mr. Sheldon

As it is several years since the last option was placed for the Concorde, is an attempt being made to obtain further options?

Mr. Carmichael

I understand from the manufacturers that the date of the options has not yet run out. Obviously a great deal depends on the performance tests. If everything goes well with those tests this year, particularly at the cruising speed of Mach 2, the manufacturers should be able to guarantee customers a level of performance sufficiently attractive to bring in large numbers of orders.

Mr. Fortescue

Will the Minister lose no opportunity to publicise the fact that Concorde has so far passed every test to which it has been subjected with more than flying colours, and that this country has every confidence in its performance in the future?

Mr. Carmichael

The mass media and the Department, whenever the opportunity arises, have taken great pride in the Concorde, and each performance of the Concorde has been very widely and very well reported.

Mr. Ellis

Would my hon. Friend agree that the tenor of my hon. Friend's supplementary question was to suggest that options were not coming along in the desired number? Will he refute that suggestion and make it quite clear that they are coming along, that the programme is going well, and that there is no doubt that as we reach the appropriate stages the project will continue to do well?

Mr. Carmichael

I would not like to speculate what was behind the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon). What I am sure of is that there are about 74 options, and I have no doubt that when the test flights are complete a number of firm orders will be placed.

Mr. Wall

About how many firm orders are required to make the whole project viable?

Mr. Carmichael

This will depend to a very large extent on the final price decided for the completed aeroplane.