§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Industry what action the Government are considering with regard to the Airbus sales programme.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe Government fully support the Airbus programme and, in accord with the French and German Governments take part in the sales-financing arrangements for the programme. Subject to the approval of Parliament at the appropriate time, the Government accordingly intend to provide financial assistance under the Civil Aviation Act 1949 to enable the financing terms for the sale of six Airbus A310s to British Caledonian Airways to be competitive with those available from overseas official institutions46W for competing aircraft. The assistance will be provided mainly in the second half of the 1980s; its amount will depend upon the market rates of interest at the relevant time.