HC Deb 06 July 1970 vol 803 cc300-1
7. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Minister of Technology what is the amount of money now committed to Concorde; and how much of it has now been spent.

44. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Technology if he will now make a statement on the progress of the Concorde project.

The Minister of Technology (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon)

Prototype 002 is expected to fly again towards the end of this month, and flight test at cruising speed will follow later in the year. Prototype 001 should resume flight test in September. About £230 million has been spent on development in the United Kingdom and £11 million on production.

Mr. Sheldon

Is the Minister aware that this must be the most unwanted aircraft in British history—unwanted now even by the aircraft operators themselves? Would it not be fitting that the Government that commenced this contract with a botched-up job should be the Government that bring it to an end?

Mr. Rippon

I am not aware of any of those things.

Mr. Onslow

Can my right hon. and learned Friend assure us that this project has the full confidence and support of the Government?

Mr. Rippon

Development is continuing as planned.

Mr. Palmer

As a Bristol Member and supporter of the Concorde from the beginning, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether his Government are about to cancel this project? If so, will it not make complete waste paper of all the speeches made by Conservative candidates in Bristol during the recent election campaign?

Mr. Rippon

As I have already explained, development is continuing as planned.

Mr. Marten

When my right hon. and learned Friend gives these figures will he reduce them to annual cost figures? This project is costing only about £30 million a year—and that keeps it more in perspective.

Mr. Rippon

I agree that these global figures can give a misleading impression of the actual cost.

Mr. Benn

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us whether a meeting in Paris with the French Minister responsible—M. Mondon—is taking place shortly?

Mr. Rippon

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, M. Mondon is unwell at the moment, but I hope to have a meeting with him as soon as possible.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will my right hon. and learned Friend reappraise this whole project and in the autumn prepare a White Paper showing what we have taken over from his predecessors?

Mr. Rippon

I will certainly consider that suggestion.