§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much public money has now been (a) committed and (b) expended on the purchase of long lead materials for Concordes, numbers. 17 to 22.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe amount of public money committed to the purchase of long lead materials for Concordes 17–22 is £1.5 million, practically all of which has been expended.
§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry when redeployment of labour and other resources from Concorde production will commence, in the absence of the authorisation of further expenditure on production aircraft beyond number 16.
§ Mr. KaufmanAs my right hon. Friend said in his reply to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 20th October, the level of employment is a matter primarily for the manufacturers to decide in the light of their overall production programme. The Government will be discussing prospects on this front with BAC.
§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Industry what approaches were made to his Department by the companies, trade unions or French Ministers or officials concerned with Concorde for further commitment of public funds to production aircraft beyond number 16, and what reply did he make.
§ Mr. KaufmanIn accordance with the 1962 Agreement, the production of 16 aircraft and the ordering of a limited number of long lead items for further six aircraft was authorised jointly by the two Governments. We have received no proposals from our French partners for a further programme. It would not be appropriate to detail the approaches which have been made by companies and trade unions, but these would, of course, be taken into account in the event of consideration being given to the future of the Concorde programme.