HC Deb 28 March 1984 vol 57 c176W
36. Mr. Richard Page

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any work will be available to United Kingdom companies in the production of the A320 other than the involvement in the construction of the air frame.

Mr. Butcher

The Government hope to see United Kingdom equipment companies obtaining a better share of the work in the A320 than in previous Airbus programmes. There is agreement among the partner Governments that they should work for a more balanced representation of equipment suppliers on the programme, while maintaining the competitiveness of the aircraft. Moreover, the A320 will be offered with the V2500 engine in which Rolls-Royce will have a 30 per cent work share.

37. Mr. Hayward

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress made on the A320 project since his recent parliamentary statement.

Mr. Butcher

At a meeting in Bonn on 12 March 1984, my hon. Friend the Minister of State and his German, French and Spanish colleagues with Airbus responsibilities jointly endorsed, in the name of the four Airbus partner Governments, the launching of the A320 programme by Airbus Industrie.