Lear Fan 2100 Aircraft

HC Deb 10 March 1983 vol 38 cc939-40

4. Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the progress towards certification of the Lear Fan 2100 aircraft.

17. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Lear Fan aircraft to receive its certificate of airworthiness.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Adam Butler)

Although the precise date of certification is difficult to predict with accuracy, the company's latest business plan points to achievement of type inspection authorisation for the aircraft by the summer of this year, with basic airworthiness certification following by about the end of 1983. Delays in a programme of this complexity are not uncommon and some slippage in the business plan dates could occur.

Mr. Atkins

I thank my hon. Friend for that detailed reply. Does he agree that this aeroplane's potential is particularly exciting and that some of the publicity that has surrounded it in recent months is unmerited in terms of the design and production that is going into the aeroplane on behalf of those working in Northern Ireland?

Mr. Butler

There has been some unfair criticism, but, on the other hand, this aeroplane still has some way to run.

Mr. Christopher Price

And fly.

Mr. Butler

And fly. So far, the new management is pleased with its success. I know that the management intends to do everything possible to keep to these dates and to bring to Northern Ireland levels of employment that are possible.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Has my hon. Friend seen the prediction from a Federal Aviation Authority official that the aircraft is unlikely to receive certification until into 1984, although whether that means well into 1984 or just into 1984 is not clear? In view of the statement by the company that production was to start this year, is not this contradiction a rather serious matter? In those circumstances, will my hon. Friend guarantee that no more public money will be put into this project until he has had absolute assurances from the company that its work programme is on schedule?

Mr. Butler

I have just given the House details and the dates by which the company expects to achieve basic airworthiness certification, which is towards the end of this year. It is conceivable that some delays may occur. All I can tell my hon. Friend is that we are closely monitoring the project on the financial side, and that in respect of technical matters we have the help of the CAA. Therefore, my hon. Friend can be assured that we are keeping it very much under review and that money is being put in under the right terms.

Mr. Molyneaux

Will the Minister undertake to keep a close watch on the activities of rival concerns, which might possibly delay the process of certification?

Mr. Butler

I am not entirely sure to what the hon. Gentleman is referring. The company and the aeroplane have to compete against whatever competition there is. I understand that it is technically well ahead of any likely competition.

Mr. Cryer

Will the Minister accept that we very much hope, metaphorically and literally, that the project will get off the ground? Will he further accept that, with a removal of control from the Government by their handing over of the project, in effect, to an American-based company, there are reservations about the way in which a substantial amount of taxpayers' money is being ploughed into it? What provision is there to enable the taxpayer to obtain full control of the project?

Mr. Butler

I shall never persuade the hon. Gentleman that the best control results from private money being put into a project, as it then has the support of private interests. In this case, there is approximately two-thirds private funding and one-third public funding. Nevertheless, we are regularly monitoring in the way I have described. We have representation on the board and that is fully satisfactory to give us the degree of control of the sort that the hon. Gentleman would wish to see.

Mr. Colvin

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Government's loan guarantees, which run into summer 1986, will be welcome to the company and to a revolutionary and exciting aircraft of great potential for which there are already 276 orders and for which more than $20 million has been paid in deposits by potential buyers?

Mr. Butler

Yes, that number of aircraft have been ordered. That is surely evidence of the prospects that potential buyers see for it.

Mr. Soley

Will the Minister clarify his initial answer, which appeared to imply that new delays may have emerged since I visited the plant about a month ago? If the difficulty is with the FAA, is there not a case for involving the CAA even more? There are vast areas of overlap with both airworthiness certification authorities. Surely there is a case for going for the British certification first, if the delays are at the American end.

Mr. Butler

It would be best if certification were obtained through the FAA, because the vast bulk of orders come from America, which is where it will have to fly first. It will follow the normal practice with so many of these aircraft if CAA certification follows FAA certification.

Mr. Wilkinson

May I press my hon. Friend further on the question asked by the hon. Member for Hammersmith, North (Mr. Soley)? Is my hon. Friend aware that the procedures undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority to validate FAA certificates of airworthiness to our standards are often long, complicated and expensive? Has my hon. Friend's Department ensured that in this case the CAA will, more or less work to the FAA guidelines?

Mr. Butler

I cannot guarantee that. The fact that we have the advantage of the CAA being involved in the technical monitoring of the aeroplane will mean that it is being kept fully up to date with progress and that, of itseff, should help to accelerate certification when it is due.