§ 33. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress of the Concorde programme.
§ 72. Mr. Ellisasked the Minister of Technology what is the current position on the Concorde programme.
§ Mr. BennThe two Concorde prototypes have now completed 200 hours of flight testing, at Mach numbers up to 1.5. Prototype 002 will resume flying shortly in preparation for flight tests at cruising speed. The results of the tests continue to be satisfactory.
§ 40. Mr. Sheldonasked the Minister of Technology on what dates he authorised the commencement of production and the pre-production models of Concorde.
§ Mr. CarmichaelWork on the preproduction aircraft and the first three production aircraft, all of which are required for the flight test programme, was authorised in August, 1965, and February, 1967, respectively.
§ 41. Mr. Sheldonasked the Minister of Technology what is now the total expenditure authorised for Concorde.
§ 73. Mr. Ellisasked the Minister of Technology what is the total payment to date of Government moneys to the Concorde programme.
§ Mr. BennThe latest basic estimate is now £730 million at October, 1969, prices; identical in money terms with the estimate given to the House on 21st May last. Within this total the United Kingdom share has increased from £340 million to £350 million, of which some £200 million has now been spent. The French share has shown a corresponding decrease, reflecting the effect of the devaluation of the franc. I shall circulate further details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
The basic estimate does not include a contingency allowance for major unforeseeable difficulties. Nor does it 229W include any allowance for certain improvements to the propulsion system now under consideration (which we consider likely to be necessary). The cost of these improvements cannot be assessed until the manufacturers have completed their studies, but they will be within the margin of 15 per cent. of the basic estimate which was mentioned to the House on 21st May, 1969.
On the production side authorisations now stand at £8.8 million for current expenditure and £7.6 million for capital expenditure.
Following is the information:
The latest basic estimate of £730m. is divided as follows as between actual past expenditure and estimated further expenditure:
British Government French Government Both Governments £m. £m. £m. Actual costs from 29th November, 1962 to 31st December, 1969 at the prices and exchange rates prevailing when the costs were incurred 200 190 390 Estimates costs from 31st December, 1969 to completion of the programme at October, 1969 prices and an exchange rate of £1–13.33F. 150 190 340 Totals 350 380 730 The difference between the latest estimate of £730m. at October, 1969 prices and the former estimate of £730m. at January, 1969 prices is made up as follows:
£m. Former estimate, January, 1969 prices 730 Add (1) pay and price increases since January, 1969 8 (2) adjustments to the programme (net) 17 Subtract adjustment due to the devaluation of the franc in August, 1969 25 Latest estimate 730
§ 52. Mr. Brooksasked the Minister of Technology whether the escalation in the costs of research and development work carried out on Concorde since 1962 in Great Britain and France has been identical in the two countries in terms of 1962 prices.
§ Mr. CarmichaelIn terms of 1962 prices the escalation in the two countries has been almost identical.
§ 62. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of Technology whether the pro- 230W posed flight path of the Concorde aircraft crosses Northern Ireland; and what steps are being taken to advise the public in relation thereto.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe proposed Concorde test route does not cross Northern Ireland, but parts of Antrim and County Down would be within the area affected by sonic booms. Officials have discussed the proposed route with the Northern Ireland authorities concerned. My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement about the test route shortly.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Minister of Technology if, in order that the public may be accurately informed by an independent source, he will publish a pamphlet on Concorde supersonic test flight routes.
§ Mr. BennI hope to make a statement shortly which will give full information about Concorde's supersonic test routes.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Minister of Technology whether he is satisfied that the effect of Concorde's sonic boom has been correctly estimated; and if he will give an assurance that the Government will not allow undue disturbance of the public even if the aircraft cannot be operated profitably without such disturbance.
§ Mr. CarmichaelPreliminary measurements have confirmed our predictions about Concorde's sonic boom. Disturbance to the public will be one of the factors the Government will take into account when considering what restrictions should be imposed on commercial supersonic flight over the United Kingdom.