HL Deb 08 February 1979 vol 398 c968WA
The Earl of KIMBERLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the cost of developing the RB211 and its derivatives, both in total and in detail.

Lord LEONARD

The total development and launch expenditure on the RB211 (excluding warranties) amounted to £160 million up to 2nd December 1978. Under an agreement reached in 1971 the development has been fully funded by Her Majesty's Government.

Total development and launch expenditure on those versions of the –524 engine to which Her Majesty's Government have contributed launch aid amounted to £115 million up to 2nd December 1978. This figure excludes the limited expenditure which Rolls-Royce has incurred on developing higher-performance derivatives of the –524.

House adjourned at fourteen minutes before ten o'clock.