HL Deb 15 June 1976 vol 371 cc1247-9WA
The Earl of KIMBERLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (i)whether the ICL Computer at Fairford Flight Test Centre has been purchased, and if not, what is the proposed date for its purchase;
  2. (ii)what was the earliest date that this computer was offered for sale, and what was the price;
  3. (iii)how much rental has been paid since this computer was offered for sale, and what is the total cost of the rental to date;
  4. (iv)how will Concorde structural specimens be tested after the closure of the Siren facility at Weybridge, and what other facilities of this size will be left available to the aircraft industry;
  5. (v)will they confirm that the closure of the Stratosphere Chamber at Weybridge has been approved, and what other chambers of this size are available to the aircraft and shipbuilding industry;
  6. (vi)what runway crew training facilities will he available in 1977 onwards for British Airways and other potential Concorde customers;
  7. (vii)how many of the Flight Test Team at Fairford are prepared to consider moving to Filton, and will the number be adequate to support the continued flying of Concordes 201 and 202.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of INDUSTRY (Lord Melchett)

(i) to (iii) are matters of commercial confidentiality between the Government, BAC and ICL. (iv) is a matter for BAC. (v): the Department has made clear to BAC that the closure of the Stratosphere Chamber is a matter of commercial judgment for the company. The question of approval under the safeguard provisions of the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill does not therefore arise. There is no other comparable facility in the United Kingdom.(vi)matters for BAC. and(vii)are matters for BAC.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(1)whether they have approved the sale of the BAC owned HS 125 registration G-APVE, and if so whether the proceeds of the sale will be classified as part of the capital of BAC when nationalised;

(2)how many stall' will be made redundant by the sale of BAC's HS 125 registration G-AVPE;

(3)what is the single fare charged by Aerospatiale for a BAC employee travelling from Filton to Toulouse on the NORD registration number FBLKE;

(4)what would be the cost of flying a BAC employee from Filton to Toulouse on the HS 125 assuming all available seats are Red;

(5)whether in keeping with the tradition of the first Concorde of each new type alternating between Aerospatiale and BAC the next development of the Aircraft will he a British responsibility;

(6)to confirm that the major share of the Flight Testing task of the developed Concorde will be on items that are BAC responsibilities, eg performance, engines, noise, intakes;

(7)on which Concorde the 20 per cent. payload improvements, which are essential to British Airways operation out of Bahrain, w ill he tested;

(8)whether the improvements to Concorde payload will be available in time for the inaugural British Airways flight to Melbourne and if not w hat is the predicted installation date;

(9)whether when: Concorde 2.01 is used for tests for which BAC have the design authority, the aircraft w ill be flown with a British flight crew;

(10)whether Aerospatiale have agreed to allow Concorde 201 to fly from Filton;

(11)what airfield will be used in England for heavy weight take offs for Concorde 201;

(12)who will be responsible for the flying costs when Concorde 201 is flown from France to England;

(13)how much flying time has been allocated to Concorde 201 to allow BAC pilots to retain their Concorde test pilots licence;

(14)whether, if there is a modification programme on Concorde 201 in 1977 onwards, the items which are BAC's design responsibilities will be installed in Britain or France;

(15)whether, if a modification programme is carried out on Concorde 201 in France in 1977 onwards, Britain will be responsible for funding 50 per cent. or only those items which are BAC's responsibility.

Lord MELCHETT

(1) No approval has been sought for the sale of the HS 125.

(2) to (4) These are matters for BAC.

(5) to (8) No new development of Concorde has been authorised.

(9) to (13) These are matters primarily for BAC and Aerospatiale.

(14) and (15) The question of a modification programme has not arisen.>