§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what support from public funds has been provided for the purchase of A300 aircraft by Laker Airways.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallThe Government are continuing to give full support to the sales financing arrangements for the Airbus programme and further to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 12 December 1980, the Government intend, subject to the approval of Parliament at the appropriate time, to provide assistance under the Civil Aviation Act 1949 to support the terms for the sale of three Airbus aircraft to Laker Airways. The assistance will commence during the next financial year and continue during the 1980s; its amount will depend on the market rates of interest at the relevant time. The European Commission has been informed.