§ 15. Mr. Gordon PrenticeWhen she will make a decision on the application by British Aerospace for launch aid for the A340– 500/600. [19883]
§ Mr. BattleBritish Aerospace's application is under consideration. We shall make a decision as soon as possible.
§ Mr. PrenticeI thank my hon. Friend, and warmly congratulate him on the decision last month to invest £200 million in the development of the Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engine, which will power the new long-haul airbus 340£500/600 series aeroplane. May I remind him that, if the Government invest in the new airbus, 50 per cent. of the content of those planes will be British? There is understandable nervousness not just in British Aerospace, but throughout the north-west, in Lancashire and especially in my constituency, in anticipation of the Government reaching an early decision, and the right decision, to invest in that project.
§ Mr. BattleMy hon. Friend has a record of championing the industry in the House, and he clearly continues to do so. Rolls-Royce was a unique case. It is the United Kingdom's only large aero-engine manufacturer, and one of only three in the world, so I welcome his comments. The Government welcome the official launch of the A340£500/600 on 8 December. The large number of potential customers who attended the launch is an encouraging sign of success for the programme. I recognise that BAe's application has taken time. All the issues must be considered thoroughly, and the decision will be announced as soon as we can do so.