§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make finance available for the development of a stretched version of the Short Brothers and Harland Skyvan; and if he will make a statement.
86Wever, following is the information available:
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have authorised full development of this aircraft. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has also agreed, subject to the negotiation of satisfactory contractual arrangements, to the company's request for a Government contribution of £4¼ million, at October 1972 prices and 87W adjusted with movements in the general price level, towards the project. This contribution will be recovered by a levy on sales of the aircraft.