§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the present status of the proposed Russian order for £10 million worth of civil aircraft fuel control systems; and if he will give an assurance that his department is doing everything possible to expedite this deal which will be of great benefit to employees of Lucas Aerospace in Birmingham and elsewhere.
§ Mr. Meacher, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 18th January 1977], gave the following information:
Her Majesty's Government welcome the contract signed by Lucas Aerospace and the Soviet Agency Licensintorg on 22nd December last for the supply of fuel control systems for the civil NK 144 power plant for use in the TU 144 supersonic airliner. The company has kept in close touch with the Government during the course of its negotiations and the contract is subject to Government 259W approval. As soon as all the necessary details are available, steps will be taken to seek any necessary international clearance for the implementation of the deal.