§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current rate of support for and production of the A300B; and what are his aims in respect of future derivatives of this project.
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Mr. Les HuekfieldThe Government are not providing support for nor are they involved in production of the current A300B. These are matters for Airbus Industries. The United Kingdom industry, in conjunction with the Organising Committee for British Aerospace, is currently engaged in discussions with the existing Airbus partners about derivatives and the possibilities for United Kingdom participation. The Government are doing all they can to facilitate these discussions and have indicated to all concerned that they will look seriously and sympathetically at any properly supported proposals which might be put forward by the United Kingdom industry for participation, subject to being satisfied as to their economic viability and to the constraints on public expenditure.