Launch Aid

HC Deb 18 December 1997 vol 303 cc314-5W

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Launch Aid. [19889]

Mr. Battle

The Government will continue to assess any application for launch aid on its individual merits. As I said when I announced the Government's investment in Rolls-Royce's Trent engine programme, consideration of future applications for this kind of support for the civil aviation industry will be informed by our commitment to public/private sector partnerships.

The Government currently receive receipts from the aerospace industry from past launch aid of more than £100 million a year. The investment in Rolls-Royce Trent engine programme should, if successful as I fully expect, yield a commercial rate of return to the country.