§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he is withholding approval to British Airways for an initial order of Boeing Jumbo jets to be powered by Rolls-Royce Dash 524 engines; how long he expects to delay his approval; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennI have informed Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. that the Government will give it financial backing for the supply of the RB211–524 for use in the Boeing 747 when an order has been obtained from another major airline in addition to British Airways. In the meantime the development work necessary to permit the installation of the RB211–524 in the Boeing 747 is continuing both at Rolls-Royce (1971) and at Boeing so that no slippage is resulting in the date at which these aircraft can be delivered to British Airways.