§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Trade, further to the replies of 6th February to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, whether he will specify the problems which must be resolved before the agreement signed between British Airways and Braniff on 10th February 1977 can become operative; and what practical assistance he is offering to British Airways.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe agreement cannot become operative until the United States Administration have completed their consideration of the linked questions of issue of a noise rule for supersonic transports, issue of a United States-type58W certificate for Concorde, and continuation of the Concorde service to Washington on a permanent basis. The Administration are expected to take these decisions during the second quarter of this year. The aircraft could then be placed on the United States register, which is required by present United States law before it can be leased by a United States airline. It will also be necessary to settle the Customs treatment of the aircraft and to obtain the approval of the civil Aeronautics Board for the interchange agreement.
We and the French Government have participated actively in the United States rule-making process and are in close touch with the airlines and the United States authorities concerned about solutions to the problems.