§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Aviation (1) what was the cost of modifying the Fairey Delta 2 to its present configuration; and what is the budgeted cost of its present flight test programme;
(2) if he will state the nature and cost of each of the projects authorised either in Government establishments, or by private industry at Government expense, which are contributing valuable information to the Concord programme but are not part of that programme.
§ Mr. AmeryOur aeronautical research programme covers a very wide field and a large number of projects within it will contribute in one way or another to the Concord. For these reasons it would not be practicable to give an itemised list of projects in the form requested by the hon. Member. Nor would it be in accordance with normal practice to give the individual costs of current research contracts. In broad terms, however, we are at present spending in the establishments and in industry about £1½ million a year on work which, although not depending for its justification solely on the Concord programme, is contributing information of particular value to this programme. This sum includes the current annual expenditure on the B.A.C.221 research aircraft, the former Fairey Delta 2.