§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied with the development and test flying of Concorde so far carried out, and when it is expected that the British prototype will be ready for application for a certificate of airworthiness.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, the tests so far have been satisfactory. The target date for certification is now the third quarter of 1974.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can give an estimated date by which it will be necessary to decide on the quantity production of Concorde, if the options held by airline operators are to be converted to firm orders for complete aircraft for delivery in 1975.]
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Aviation Supply will be meeting the French Minister responsible for Concorde shortly for a general review of the project, including the future production programme. Meanwhile, the manufacturers already have authority for the initial stages of the programme.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, is the Minister aware that Britain's lead in this new field, as compared with the rest of the world is 1066 tremendous? If airlines are hesitant to give firm orders, could not Her Majesty's Government, in order that we do not lose our lead, consider the bold step of going into production now and, if necessary, leasing the aircraft to the airlines of the world, on remunerative terms to Her Majesty's Government?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, that is an interesting suggestion. I entirely accept that, together with the French, we have a substantial lead in this field. I would say to my noble friend that we are not quite in a position, even if we were to agree with the French to do so, to take the action that he suggests. As I said in my Answer, the progress and tests are satisfactory, but there is still a certain amount of work to be done, together with an assessment of costs, and so on. These are all matters which my right honourable friend and his French colleagues will be taking into account when they meet in about three weeks' time.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, may I ask one more supplementary question? Will the Minister agree that indecision, postponement and abortive meetings are the very factors that must increase the cost and lengthen the time involved, and must, so far as possible, be avoided?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I quite agree that one wants to avoid indecision and increasing cost, but I hope my noble friend will accept from me that the Government do understand and take this point of view into account. Obviously, I cannot prejudge the results of the meeting with our French colleagues on April 22, but I will certainly undertake to pass on his remarks to my right honourable friend.