HC Deb 20 January 1971 vol 809 cc1046-7
9. Mr. Onslow

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will now make a statement setting out the extent to which the Air Holdings orders for Lockheed 1011s were underwritten by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Corfield

I have nothing to add to my reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Esher (Mr. Mather) on 13th January.—[Vol. 809, c. 78–79.]

Mr. Onslow

How does that answer square with the assurances given by the right hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn) to the French and Germans when we were considering entering the A300 project that there was no question of a British Government subsidy for an American competitor? Since there is such concern about the extent of public backing that will be necessary for the deal, has my right hon. Friend yet received the report from his accountants on Rolls-Royce's finances?

Mr. Corfield

It would be simpler to put the first part of my hon. Friend's question to the right hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn). The situation is that, if my hon. Friend defines the Air Holdings contract as a subsidy, which I am not sure that he can—

Mr. Onslow

It is.

Mr. Corfield

—I think that at the material time the Government were supporting the A300B. The accountants' investigation is very thorough and cannot be made very quickly. I do not expect the report for several weeks.