§ Mr. Brooksasked the Minister of Technology whether the French Government consulted Her Majesty's Government before announcing a cut of £5 million in the planned expenditure for 1969 on Concorde; and what will be the effect of this unilateral economy upon the British Government's expenditure under the terms of the joint sharing agreement.
§ Mr. BennThe French Government did not consult Her Majesty's Government before announcing this cut, but our understanding is that it is essentially a rephasing of payments and is not intended to reduce or slow-down programme of work next year.