§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Rolls-Royce RB211 engines have either been fitted to or ordered for the Boeing 757 aircraft; and what proportion this represents of fittings originally expected.
§ Mr. ButcherRolls-Royce has, to date, secured firm orders for RB211–535 engines to be fitted to 51 Boeing 757 aircraft. In addition, the company has conditional orders and options for -535 engines on another 52 B757s. This gives a total of 206 engines not including spare engines, and represents approximately 60 per cent. of the orders placed for Boeing 757s so far. Initial sales of the Boeing 757 have been slower than originally expected owing to the deep recession in the airline industry, but the aircraft has had an excellent entry into service, and we remain confident that it has very strong prospects for the future.