HC Deb 18 March 1975 vol 888 cc373-4W
Mr. Pattie

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the sums being spent with Rolls-Royce in order to adapt the —524 version of the RB211 for use in the Lockheed TriStar preclude further sums being advanced to adapt the engine for the 747 jumbo jet.

Mr. Meacher:

No. The Government are fully committed to support the development of the RB211–524 for the TriStar. In my right hon. Friend's statement in the House on 5th December 1974 he also said that the Government will provide support on similar terms for the application to the Boeing 747 when a major order is placed for -524 powered B747 aircraft in addition to those required by British Airways.

Mr. Pattie

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what estimate he has made of the size of the jumbo market for the RB211 engine as compared with the TriStar market.

Mr. Meacher:

The market estimates are continually under review by both Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. and the Government, and are based on information which is a matter of commercial confidentiality to the company. The two markets are, of course, different in character. The RB211 is the only engine in service in the Lockheed TriStar while two other engines are available in the Boeing 747 and the RB211 would make a third. I would, therefore, not expect the RB211 market in the B747 to be as large as in the TriStar.

Mr. Pattie

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he will make an announcement about the agreement between Boeing and Rolls-Royce to work together on adapting the RB211 engine.

Mr. Meacher:

The agreement between Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. and Boeing is a matter for the two companies. I understand that the present agreement runs until the end of May 1975.

Mr. Pattie

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money the Government are being asked to supply in order to fund the adaptation of the up-rated —524 version of the RB211 for use in the 747 jumbo jet.

Mr. Meacher:

The level of contribution requested by Rolls-Royce (1971) Ltd. from the Governnment for the application of the RB211–524 to the Boeing 747 is related to the total costs of the application and is, therefore, a matter of commercial confidentiality for the company. Should the condition for Government support for the application, which my right hon. Friend announced to the House last December, be met, then he would give the House details as soon as possible, as he did for the launch of the -524 for the TriStar last December.