§ 2.46 p.m.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will give the go-ahead for the BAC X.11 in order that the market requirement for 1981 will be met.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, British Aerospace are actively engaged, with the Government's approval, in examining a number of international collaborative options with prospective partners in Europe and America. These include the X.11. The Corporation have market timing well in mind, and the Government will be ready to consider their recommendations when they have been received.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask whether he can state that if the decision to go ahead with the X.11 is taken, the project programme leadership will be with Britain and not, say, France? Can he further say whether the airlines confirmed with British Aerospace or with industry what sort of aeroplane the airlines themselves actually want, and if so, is it the X.11?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, this is an extremely difficult question to answer during Question Time. If the noble Earl would like to table an Unstarred Question we could discuss it. The problem of who gives leadership, with whom we work and the actual guidelines on the production of the next generation of aircraft is so complex that I cannot answer the question at this moment.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether the broad specification of this aeroplane has been settled and, if so, whether British Airways are likely to purchase it?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMNo, my Lords, that is another question and I cannot answer it now.