§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what consultations he had with the British Aircraft Corporation before handing over original specifications of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft to the company; and what consultation he had directly with Dassault.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe British Aircraft Corporation and Avions Marcel Dassault as the contractors for the airframe of the AFVG project have played their full part in the joint studies and discussions carried out so far. The only specification released to them up to this point has been the joint Anglo-French Operational Requirement on which it is usual to seek technical advice from industry. It is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to negotiate directly with the industry of other countries taking part in collaborative projects.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what requests he has had from the French Government in the last 178W six months for technical innovations on the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.
§ Mr. StonehouseNone.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Technology what representations he has had from the French Government in the last nine months on the possibility of increased speed in the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.
§ Mr. StonehouseI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer he received from my hon. Friend the Minister of Defence (Equipment) to a similar Question on 6th April.—[Vol. 744, c.77.]